The timing of your post is PERFECT. What I say won't be, but what you said, yeah. Perfect.

I was in the mountains today (about 3 hours from home) and I called Mom and Dad and Dad answered and said he was taking Mom to the hospital because she was having heart troubles. I packed up and headed home and broke my personal best time in getting there, then tried to call Dad on his cell and got no answer. (Because apparently cell phones are not allowed in emergency rooms, at least not turned-on ones). Anyway, it turned out that Mom was dehydrated; they checked her all out and released her and I was over at Mom and Dad's tonight talking...or listening. Because Mom LOVED the people who took care of her. Because they cared. She mentioned that they were so calm but also so thorough.

But this story isn't Mom's, except that she got to tell it: it's about a man in the bed next to her was near death and needed to go to the bathroom, "#2" as Mom says...she said a nurse came in and brought him a bedpan. Mom said she wasn't sure how that could possibly work but that a few minutes later the nurse came in and asked the man, "how you doing, boss?" and things were as good as could be and in a few minutes the man was cleaned up and eventually was smiling as Mom and her nurse giggled about something. The man's granddaughter came around the curtain and told my mom and the other woman that. And Mom told me. And I am telling you.

It's an extremely honorable job to be in the position to help people in ways like that. It's making someone's existence better, and if it only helps a little it still helps a lot more than what 99% of the rest of us do to help.

I just say it because I want you to know that some other people see your work and realize it's the toughest thing there is.

I admire you for choosing to do it.
 

aw thanks mike, your timing is also perfect, i really needed to hear that right now. i knew going into this program that it would be fast-paced and difficult but it doesn't really hit until you're in the hospital room. i feel SO new and unprepared and there is so much prep and paperwork involved, but there are only so many hours in a day. i just need to trust that i'm ready and i can do this
:)

thank you
 

PS

i hope your mom is okay. sending her <3 from california