Raina Brown
October 2024
Raina
Brown
,
RN
Progressive Care Unit
Shannon Medical Center
San Angelo
,
TX
United States
As the day unfolded, I found myself looking forward to Raina’s smile and her gentle care, knowing she was watching over Mom. She brought peace to a situation that felt impossible to bear.
There are moments in life when it’s difficult to find light, and the loss of my dear mother was one of those moments. It's an event we never want to plan for or imagine. As someone in the medical field, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing extraordinary nurses provide comfort in situations where the outcome is uncertain, and emotions run high. Time and again, I’ve been in awe of the calm and compassion these nurses display, even amidst chaos. Over the years, I have been grateful to see how their care brings comfort, and I’ve often hoped that if the time came for my own loved ones, they would receive the same gentle, compassionate attention.
In the days leading up to my mother’s passing, my family knew her time with us was limited. Although some of us were not ready to face it, we all understood deep down. With that knowledge, we were especially aware of how every member of the hospital staff treated her. None of us wished for her final moments to be in a hospital room, but we searched for any small solace in the care she received.
On the day of her passing, we knew we only had hours left with her. I was fortunate to spend her last night on Earth by her side. In the stillness of those moments, Mom let us know it was time. That morning, as the sun rose less brightly than I had hoped, I realized it was selfish to ask her to stay. With that acceptance, I couldn’t help but pray that my mother, after 35 years of dedicated service as a nurse herself, would be met with the same compassion she had given to so many others and the compassion I had prayed those chaotic times from the amazing nurses I had the privilege to work beside.
That’s when Raina entered Mom’s room for the first time, bringing with her a warmth that lifted the heaviness in the air. From the very first moment, I felt immense gratitude for Raina and the care she brought to my mother in her final hours. She wasn’t just caring for my mother; she was caring for our family. I noticed the small but significant gestures – smoothing a wrinkle in the sheet or adjusting my mother’s hand for comfort – even when she didn’t know I was watching. These moments were filled with the same kindness and skill that reminded me of the remarkable nurses I have worked alongside.
As the day unfolded, I found myself looking forward to Raina’s smile and her gentle care, knowing she was watching over Mom. She brought peace to a situation that felt impossible to bear. In every way, Raina was the bright light we so desperately needed that day. After that day, my hope and prayer for patients and their families is that they will be met with a nurse as compassionate, thoughtful, and devoted as Raina.
-A grateful son
In the days leading up to my mother’s passing, my family knew her time with us was limited. Although some of us were not ready to face it, we all understood deep down. With that knowledge, we were especially aware of how every member of the hospital staff treated her. None of us wished for her final moments to be in a hospital room, but we searched for any small solace in the care she received.
On the day of her passing, we knew we only had hours left with her. I was fortunate to spend her last night on Earth by her side. In the stillness of those moments, Mom let us know it was time. That morning, as the sun rose less brightly than I had hoped, I realized it was selfish to ask her to stay. With that acceptance, I couldn’t help but pray that my mother, after 35 years of dedicated service as a nurse herself, would be met with the same compassion she had given to so many others and the compassion I had prayed those chaotic times from the amazing nurses I had the privilege to work beside.
That’s when Raina entered Mom’s room for the first time, bringing with her a warmth that lifted the heaviness in the air. From the very first moment, I felt immense gratitude for Raina and the care she brought to my mother in her final hours. She wasn’t just caring for my mother; she was caring for our family. I noticed the small but significant gestures – smoothing a wrinkle in the sheet or adjusting my mother’s hand for comfort – even when she didn’t know I was watching. These moments were filled with the same kindness and skill that reminded me of the remarkable nurses I have worked alongside.
As the day unfolded, I found myself looking forward to Raina’s smile and her gentle care, knowing she was watching over Mom. She brought peace to a situation that felt impossible to bear. In every way, Raina was the bright light we so desperately needed that day. After that day, my hope and prayer for patients and their families is that they will be met with a nurse as compassionate, thoughtful, and devoted as Raina.
-A grateful son