Transcript

I've been a nurse for almost 12 years. For four years. For just over 25 years. It's absolutely personal. You have the chance and the opportunity to meet some fantastic people and make a difference in their lives. I think I've always wanted to be a nurse, to take care of people and help advocate for people when they weren't able to advocate for themselves. That's more than just a job. You're directly impacting people's lives. Someone wrote this for me. Yeah. So, you're going to have me read it and I'm going to cry probably. Dearest Kiah, even though you had many nights beside our sweet Tandy, our first real interaction we had with you was the worst day of our lives. Through all the confusion and chaos, you were the calm and strong and were there to take all our questions and pain with such humility and grace. The hardest decision we ever had to make somehow became a loving choice, where we held our darling girl into eternity. Derek, I believe it was fate that brought us to Cache Valley Hospital. If we hadn't been getting our new grandbaby, my husband wouldn't have received your life saving care as quick as he did. It's a very real possibility that he wouldn���t be with us today. I don't know if you remember my arrival in the E.R., but I certainly remember you. You were always professional while still allowing me to see your personality, which kept me at ease during a very scary situation. We want to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to you, our guardian angel, during a heartbreaking and stressful time for us all, you were unbelievably attentive to our dad's cares and needs. She was frightened you would come in and reassure her. You would make jokes with her, making her laugh. She loved you, walking with you and talking with you. You showed her such kindness which helped Kaylee let go of some of the negativity that she felt. We ran out to the hall and yelled for help, and within seconds, a very small army of health care professionals were running to attend to my husband. You were among that army. No job was too much or too hard for you. You answered every call with a smile on your face. Unfortunately, our dad gained his angel wings. We could not have gotten through our time on 5 North without you. Because of you and my sweet grandbaby, I'll get to watch my husband step into the role of granddad with more purpose now than ever. Thank you for being part of my husband's survival story. Thank you for staying longer than your shift hours to be there with us. In South Africa, there is a word which means home and family, and it is pronounced exactly the same as your name. You will always be part of our family. We love you, Kiah. It's really nice. Can I get a tissue? It's hard to put into words what it means. This just goes clear to the core, right to the soul. Happy to know that I made a difference. I know who this patient is. I mean, it feels great. You know, it's the things like that that remind you of why you���re doing it. And how we can affect people in their lives. I just want to be there, you know? I want to help people. I think it makes everything that we do as nurses worth it.