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Do You Remember Me?
Sacred Stories | Do You Remember Me?
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. – Hebrews 13:2
I have been a nurse for over three decades. I believe I make a difference in the lives of my patients and their families. I have many stories, but one in particular is very dear to my heart.
Several years ago, I had the opportunity to work with a teenage boy, Josh. He was involved in a motor vehicle accident and sustained a traumatic brain injury. When Josh was admitted to rehabilitation, he was very confused and agitated, with an extremely short attention span. His parents were loving, caring and supportive.
As he went through rehabilitation, I was concerned that many of the deficits caused by Josh’s injury might not be resolved, and that his recovery would require many years. Josh was so young, and his journey had barely begun.
Months went by. One day, I received a letter with an invitation to Josh’s graduation. In the letter, he thanked me for everything I had done for him. I remembered what his parents said to me on the day of his discharge from rehabilitation: “This has been the hardest thing we have had to do and we hope that no one else ever has to endure this, but if they do we hope that you will be there to help them on their journey to recovery.” Josh still had cognitive deficits, and my heart was heavy because I knew he might never fully recover.
Years went by. Then, last Christmas, a young man approached me and asked if I remembered him. “What’s your name?” I asked. He handed me a card that read “Officer Joshua Jones.” My mouth fell open. I hugged him tightly and told him how proud I was of him. With tears in his eyes, he said, “I couldn’t have made it this far without your help. I think of you and your words of encouragement often. Thank you so much.” This, I thought, is the best Christmas gift I could have received.
Every day, nurses care for the sick, and it can be difficult work. It is much easier to heal bruised skin than bruised souls, but through compassion, laughter and hugs we can make a big difference in a patient’s recovery. My heart is filled with the many thanks I have received from patients and by these simple words: “I’m glad you’re my nurse today.”
Shared From the Sacred Stories Archive
Questions for Reflection
We send many patients home with heavy hearts, not knowing what the final outcome will be. Are you carrying particular patients in your heart even now?
What’s the best advice you can offer to a caregiver whose heart is heavy? What has been helpful to you at times like this author describes?
Share this Story
- Share on Facebook
- Share on Twitter
- Share on LinkedIn
- Share by Mail
Listen to more Sacred Stories
The Gift of Citizenship/by adminOur Famous Patient/by adminFulfilling a Last Request/by adminThe Power of Being Present/by adminA Celebrated Farewell/by adminGod’s Perfect Timing/by adminGod’s Presence in Grief/by adminCompassion in Action/by adminThe Door is Open/by adminEncourage One Another/by adminRestoring the Soul/by adminSacred Stories, Sacred Ground/by adminOur Christmas Gift/by adminMessages Placed in My Path/by adminBeyond Words/by adminCare In the Time of COVID-19/by adminPrayer of Surrender at the End of Life/by adminWisdom from a Child/by adminGod Has This in Control/by adminReceiving Guests With Compassion and Kindness/by adminCommonSpirit Health’s Ever-present Values/by adminThe Gift of Time in the Giving Garden/by adminFair, with Occasional Clouds/by adminAlways a Reason/by adminIt Only Takes a Second/by adminA Thank You Note/by adminWith the Arms of Christ/by adminLadybug’s Christmas Tree/by adminJesus Lit Up Our World/by adminLike a Grain of Wheat/by adminSanta Finally Comes to Our House/by adminWhenever it Snows, the Memory of Him Comes to Me/by adminMany Gifts, Same Spirit/by adminMy Poignant Story/by adminLife and Death/by adminCan You Hear Me in the Noise?/by adminBagpipes/by adminTo Truly See/by adminMassaging Souls/by adminMargaret Was Not Alone/by adminThe “Push” for My Career/by adminA Grandmother’s Kiss/by adminUncle Jim/by adminWhat Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?/by adminI Have Seen the Face of God/by adminIncarcerated/by adminIce Cream: Good for the Soul/by adminA Cup of Cold Water/by adminSpirits Touching/by adminI Thought You Might Need a Hug/by adminFamily, Friends, and Faith/by adminJust Hands/by adminOur Central American Patient/by adminBrief Light/by adminA Childs Generosity/by adminEverything Is for a Reason/by adminThe Colonel/by adminThe Goodbye Song/by adminThe True Meaning of Christmas/by adminDo You Remember Me?/by adminLights for Timothy/by adminA New Friend/by adminStringed Release/by adminPrayer Shawl/by adminForgiveness/by adminLoad more
About Sacred Stories
As CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of
the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
Sacred Stories convey ways our mission is being lived out by the gifted people in our ministry. We invite you to
use these stories for inspiration, as a meeting reflection, or to encourage discussion with your team.
Return to the Sacred Stories Homepage
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Sacred Stories | Do You Remember Me?
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. – Hebrews 13:2
I have been a nurse for over three decades. I believe I make a difference in the lives of my patients and their families. I have many stories, but one in particular is very dear to my heart.
Several years ago, I had the opportunity to work with a teenage boy, Josh. He was involved in a motor vehicle accident and sustained a traumatic brain injury. When Josh was admitted to rehabilitation, he was very confused and agitated, with an extremely short attention span. His parents were loving, caring and supportive.
As he went through rehabilitation, I was concerned that many of the deficits caused by Josh’s injury might not be resolved, and that his recovery would require many years. Josh was so young, and his journey had barely begun.
Months went by. One day, I received a letter with an invitation to Josh’s graduation. In the letter, he thanked me for everything I had done for him. I remembered what his parents said to me on the day of his discharge from rehabilitation: “This has been the hardest thing we have had to do and we hope that no one else ever has to endure this, but if they do we hope that you will be there to help them on their journey to recovery.” Josh still had cognitive deficits, and my heart was heavy because I knew he might never fully recover.
Years went by. Then, last Christmas, a young man approached me and asked if I remembered him. “What’s your name?” I asked. He handed me a card that read “Officer Joshua Jones.” My mouth fell open. I hugged him tightly and told him how proud I was of him. With tears in his eyes, he said, “I couldn’t have made it this far without your help. I think of you and your words of encouragement often. Thank you so much.” This, I thought, is the best Christmas gift I could have received.
Every day, nurses care for the sick, and it can be difficult work. It is much easier to heal bruised skin than bruised souls, but through compassion, laughter and hugs we can make a big difference in a patient’s recovery. My heart is filled with the many thanks I have received from patients and by these simple words: “I’m glad you’re my nurse today.”
Shared From the Sacred Stories Archive
Questions for Reflection
We send many patients home with heavy hearts, not knowing what the final outcome will be. Are you carrying particular patients in your heart even now?
What’s the best advice you can offer to a caregiver whose heart is heavy? What has been helpful to you at times like this author describes?
Share this Story
- Share on Facebook
- Share on Twitter
- Share on LinkedIn
- Share by Mail
Listen to more Sacred Stories
The Gift of Citizenship/by adminOur Famous Patient/by adminFulfilling a Last Request/by adminThe Power of Being Present/by adminA Celebrated Farewell/by adminGod’s Perfect Timing/by adminGod’s Presence in Grief/by adminCompassion in Action/by adminThe Door is Open/by adminEncourage One Another/by adminRestoring the Soul/by adminSacred Stories, Sacred Ground/by adminOur Christmas Gift/by adminMessages Placed in My Path/by adminBeyond Words/by adminCare In the Time of COVID-19/by adminPrayer of Surrender at the End of Life/by adminWisdom from a Child/by adminGod Has This in Control/by adminReceiving Guests With Compassion and Kindness/by adminCommonSpirit Health’s Ever-present Values/by adminThe Gift of Time in the Giving Garden/by adminFair, with Occasional Clouds/by adminAlways a Reason/by adminIt Only Takes a Second/by adminA Thank You Note/by adminWith the Arms of Christ/by adminLadybug’s Christmas Tree/by adminJesus Lit Up Our World/by adminLike a Grain of Wheat/by adminSanta Finally Comes to Our House/by adminWhenever it Snows, the Memory of Him Comes to Me/by adminMany Gifts, Same Spirit/by adminMy Poignant Story/by adminLife and Death/by adminCan You Hear Me in the Noise?/by adminBagpipes/by adminTo Truly See/by adminMassaging Souls/by adminMargaret Was Not Alone/by adminThe “Push” for My Career/by adminA Grandmother’s Kiss/by adminUncle Jim/by adminWhat Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?/by adminI Have Seen the Face of God/by adminIncarcerated/by adminIce Cream: Good for the Soul/by adminA Cup of Cold Water/by adminSpirits Touching/by adminI Thought You Might Need a Hug/by adminFamily, Friends, and Faith/by adminJust Hands/by adminOur Central American Patient/by adminBrief Light/by adminA Childs Generosity/by adminEverything Is for a Reason/by adminThe Colonel/by adminThe Goodbye Song/by adminThe True Meaning of Christmas/by adminDo You Remember Me?/by adminLights for Timothy/by adminA New Friend/by adminStringed Release/by adminPrayer Shawl/by adminForgiveness/by adminLoad more
About Sacred Stories
As CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of
the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
Sacred Stories convey ways our mission is being lived out by the gifted people in our ministry. We invite you to
use these stories for inspiration, as a meeting reflection, or to encourage discussion with your team.
Return to the Sacred Stories Homepage