Nursing humbles you. It gives you a grand perspective on this thing we call life. It makes you a front-row witness to the strength of life, as well as its immense frailty. When people hear I'm a NICU nurse, they always say, "what a sad job. I couldn't do it." I tell them most of the time, it's such a happy place. We see so many success stories and tiny victories every day.
I can't believe it's taken me 3 1/2 years to see what they were talking about. Today, I'm not crying for me. I'm crying for sweet parents, full of love that I got to witness firsthand. And I'm crying for the rollercoaster that they're on: their baby took a steep, unexpected downhill turn last night and passed away early this morning. I had signed up to be his primary nurse so the hospital called me this afternoon to tell me.
I wish they'd called earlier so I could've been there. Not to take care of the baby- nothing could be done by that point- but to take care of the parents. Instead, I can pray. And beg you to pray as well. God only gave this long-awaited baby to his parents for a short time. They got to hold him in their arms for a few days, but now God is holding him for eternity.
I am praying Therese. Praying for the hurt and pain of those parents because I know without a doubt that the tiny life lost is in a good place full of love and joy.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mel! I don't have kids, so it's easy for me to think that he's in a better place. But I know seeing the parents tonight will make me cry, because their pain is so very real.
ReplyDeletethis week has been terrible... thanks for being such an amazing coworker and caring for those hurting parents! we will all get through this together!
ReplyDeletehave prayed since yesterday... will continue every single time God brings them to my mind... and he will often. I never seem to forget those that have joined this club NONE of us would have chosen to be a part of... Thank you JESUS for the hope of HEAVEN!
ReplyDeleteLindsey- I guess it's not always the happy job we thought it was!
ReplyDeleteRobin- THANK YOU! Your prayers are priceless!