First I would like to apologize to James as this is long overdue. Maya Angelou stated, "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
This describes how James's words of comfort and support made me feel as if I was not alone at a time when I needed to be the source of strength for my family and husband. My interaction with James dates back to 2018. My husband was admitted through the ED with a heart attack and went straight to the Cath lab. Afterward, he was transferred to the ICU. Several hours later he began to have difficulty breathing and EKG's changes. He was taken back to the Cath lab. James and his crew were still there working long hours. It was reassuring to see the same people even though it was a long day for them. Being a cardiac RN myself, I knew this wasn't a good situation.
After the second Cath was completed, James came out to the waiting area where I was with my adult children being strong for them. James stated the cardiologist wanted to speak with me in the Cath lab and to come with him. I knew this didn't sound good and said as such to James on our way there. He understood and gave me a moment to fall apart and then, knowing how important it is to be strong for my husband and family, put his arm around my shoulder, gave it a squeeze, and said, "You can do this." We went into the Cath lab where I saw my husband was on a balloon pump. James stayed by my side giving me the strength to be strong for my husband. My husband needed open heart surgery and has done well. It's been a year and a half now but every time I reflect back to that day, James' compassion is always a part of that memory.