I met April when she was still in orientation and working various floors, the first night my dad was admitted to a room. He had Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and she heard me from out in the hall at 3 am trying to get him calmed down.

She came in and asked if he liked music and, if so, what kind. I told her hymns. She held my hand and his and sang with her beautiful voice hymns. He sang along with her at the top of his lungs and knew every word, and then calmed down and went to sleep. She also checked on me throughout the night to see if I needed anything.

We never had another nurse even close to as good as she was. She made his final days on earth as pleasant as possible for both him and me. We will be forever grateful and she should be commended.