Exactly one year ago today, my son was admitted to your CIU. His room there was the last place I begged God like never before, held my son's hand, spoke to him, kissed him, hugged him, watched him take his last breath and said goodbye forever. The two days spent in that room were the most painful my family and I have ever had, but I also think of this room often, and the nurses who touched our lives in it. It takes a special person to do what you all do. You all allowed me to spend every last minute I could with my son, regardless of visiting hours. You were there to comfort and care not only for my son but for a mother that was experiencing pain she never thought could exist. You were there for the 50+ family members coming in and out, constantly buzzing and asking you how things were going. You were a traffic monitor, trying to give immediate family peace while other family members were constantly coming in and out, never giving you peace.
Our day shift nurse, Meliza, was an angel in uniform. Although my son was married, she kept me informed as well and gave me my place with my son, making me feel like my position as the mother was most important. She saw everything, realizing the situation I was dealing with, without me having to say a word. She cared for my son as if he was her own child. She was there with the doctor to tell me that my son was gone, and I watched her heart break to do it. She comforted my surviving adult children who were there when I couldn't, and she kept a crowd of family members out, so we could say our final goodbyes in private. Though I may not remember every detail, her angel face will forever be in my thoughts and in my heart. My son's death was unexpected and it is something I will never understand. I know this is only a small token of my appreciation, but please know all your professionalism and caring to one human being to another did not go unnoticed. Thank you with all of my heart. Thank you, Meliza.