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Lights for Timothy
Sacred Stories | Lights for Timothy
“As you know, we treated each one of you as a father treats his children.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:11
The glorious Christmas holiday was approaching. I was the charge nurse on a medical/surgical unit during a particularly challenging shift. Two team members approached me, and upon hearing what
they had to say, I understood why their facial expressions told a story of sadness.
We had a pediatric patient, Timothy, who was gravely ill and could not talk. But his smile and bright eyes rewarded our caring efforts and strengthened the bond we developed with him. We discussed the situation with Timothy’s mother; to cheer him, special Christmas decorations were placed in his room. We worked with our facility team to ensure this was safe, and acquired permission from the CEO, which he did not hesitate to give.
Timothy’s family and the nursing team were ecstatic when they heard the news.
In our hospital, we send cards to individuals who make extra efforts to meet patient needs. When I suggested we send one to our CEO, the nursing team was in complete agreement, and thanked him for making a little boy’s Christmas special. Later, the CEO told me it was the first time he had received a gratitude card, and it brought tears to his eyes and joy to his heart.
That was Timothy’s last Christmas on Earth. The joy he brought to his family and the nursing team will never be forgotten, nor will the impact he had on a chief executive officer. Mission-driven holistic patient care is truly a collaborative effort.
Shared From the Sacred Stories Archive
Questions for Reflection
Has there been a time when you considered and requested an exception on behalf of a patient? What was the impact of that choice?
The CEO was moved by the formal recognition he received. How can you show appreciation to your leaders when they go above and beyond?
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 | Lights for Timothy
“As you know, we treated each one of you as a father treats his children.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:11
The glorious Christmas holiday was approaching. I was the charge nurse on a medical/surgical unit during a particularly challenging shift. Two team members approached me, and upon hearing what
they had to say, I understood why their facial expressions told a story of sadness.
We had a pediatric patient, Timothy, who was gravely ill and could not talk. But his smile and bright eyes rewarded our caring efforts and strengthened the bond we developed with him. We discussed the situation with Timothy’s mother; to cheer him, special Christmas decorations were placed in his room. We worked with our facility team to ensure this was safe, and acquired permission from the CEO, which he did not hesitate to give.
Timothy’s family and the nursing team were ecstatic when they heard the news.
In our hospital, we send cards to individuals who make extra efforts to meet patient needs. When I suggested we send one to our CEO, the nursing team was in complete agreement, and thanked him for making a little boy’s Christmas special. Later, the CEO told me it was the first time he had received a gratitude card, and it brought tears to his eyes and joy to his heart.
That was Timothy’s last Christmas on Earth. The joy he brought to his family and the nursing team will never be forgotten, nor will the impact he had on a chief executive officer. Mission-driven holistic patient care is truly a collaborative effort.
Shared From the Sacred Stories Archive
Questions for Reflection
Has there been a time when you considered and requested an exception on behalf of a patient? What was the impact of that choice?
The CEO was moved by the formal recognition he received. How can you show appreciation to your leaders when they go above and beyond?
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