My mother was in and out of the hospital battling cancer over the last year. During her stay at the hospital, she experienced many ups and downs. However, there was one particular nurse who always went above and beyond. She treated my mother as if she were her own mother.

Aaliyah Cook not only made an impact on my mother's care but also on our lives. One particular day, Aaliyah was supposed to have already left work as she was going out of town and running late. Her bags packed, belongings loaded in her hands, she started to make her way off the fifth floor. My dad approached the nurse station to make them aware that he needed some assistance with my mom.

Overhearing him, Aaliyah stopped, dropped all of her belongings, and ran down to help with my mom. Not because it was her job, as she was getting off of her shift (late), but because she cared. The fact that she was my night nurse was the only reason why, on some nights, I was even able to sleep well.

When finding out Aaliyah was back on shifts to be her nurse at night would put a smile on my mom's face. Ultimately, my mother passed away, but Aaliyah left an impact on all of us to remember something positive while going through something so terrible.