A Salute To the Nurse Who Saved My Husband's Life

 Nurses! I salute you!!!

When the tests came back negative and the doctor said "Send him home," 

a nurse spied his slightly swollen leg and 

defied the doctor with her observation. 

Within a few hours and more tests, 

200 blood clots were discovered in Dan's lungs. 

A nurse saved my husband's life. 

 Nurses. 

Your knowledge of multitudes of illnesses, 

training that never ends, 

sacrifice of life and family and time, 

love for unlovely patients, 

care with compassion, and 

kindness under pressure 

is honored today.

Thank you for loving your patients.

Thank you for loving me.

Thank you for crying with me, 

Praying with me,

Holding me, 

Making me smile and laugh out loud,

For being gentle,

For understanding my fears,

For your patience,

Gentleness

and tears.

Nurses.

You have chosen an honorable profession.

May your reward be on earth as it is in Heaven. 

With thanks from all who depend on you 

to catch what the doctor may miss.

Doctors! I salute you too!

 God has blessed me with wonderful medical care and 

I am thankful to each of you.

But, today is Nurses' Appreciation Day!
Know you are appreciated!

" . . . be strong and do not give up,
for your work will be rewarded."
2 Chronicles 15:7 (NIV)

Nurses fill my life with splashes of serenity for which I am thankful.

A Salute to Teachers Who Love Our Children

The death of children and the bravery, care, and love of teachers who fell with them brought back to my mind a special teacher in my life when I watched my brother die.

I was 16 when my baby brother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The day he was to die is as fresh as the thoughts of these dear little ones struck down too soon in Connecticut.

My parents thought it best I go to school the day of his fifth, and his last, surgery. Unable to shrink the tumor, the doctors' last hope was one more surgery with the forewarning that, except a miracle from God, my brother Ty would not come away from the operating table still breathing. My parents felt it was worth a try.

At 10:00 a.m Ty entered the operating room. I sat at my school desk, tears flooding my face, unable to control my pain. Mrs. Eastwood didn't know why I cried, she came to me and held me tight, and asked me to stay after class. Her words were tender and loving and her hugs were exactly what I needed on that saddest of days. When class was over, I went to her desk. She asked if I wanted to share why I was crying. I told her my brother was, most likely, dieing on that day. She cried with me and she held me close. I thank God for her. She was an angel sent from God.

I believe God was with the dear babies in those classrooms. I also believe the teachers did all they could to hold those precious ones tight. When they couldn't, I believe God sent His angels to shield them from the awfulness of this sinful world. God promises that He is with us always and that He never leaves us.

I know when I fought my own battle for life, God's love surrounded me. I felt peace that passes understanding when the medical world around me was in chaos. God says we have nothing to fear. I believe Him. I believe in the rampage, angels watched over the dieing babies and teachers.

There is good news at the end of my story. My brother lived! In November we celebrated his 48th birthday together.

Teachers and doctors can get a lot of negative garbage thrown at them. Not from me! I salute you! I thank God for you and the impact you have on the lives of little ones.

Thank You God that teachers and doctors and angels are used by you to comfort and give splashes of serenity when life is in turmoil. May Your Holy Spirit give comfort and hold tight those who mourn the death of their babies and their mommies and their brothers and sisters this day.

Do you have a teacher who impacted your life? I'd love to hear about him or her.