When they wheeled my bed into surgery, I was already pretty relaxed.  I had battled much pain for several days, and if surgery was the means to the end of my suffering, then I was at peace with it. My family was a little more anxious. When she walked into that room, her spirit filled it before she even opened her mouth to introduce herself. I recognized a metal she was wearing around her neck, and her face looked vaguely familiar. It turns out we attend the same church, but I had never met her.

We are both acquainted with the pastor of the church, and we talked briefly about him.  A few minutes later, she comes in with a cell phone, and I hear our pastor’s voice. She had tracked him down at the office, and I’m assuming told him how our paths crossed, and he prayed with us over the phone as I waited to be taken back to the OR.  

What a beautiful moment, and a beautiful soul to think of offering such a special comfort to me and my family, then taking the liberty to make it happen. She may never know just how special that moment was for us. Do you think that was enough? I do.  She didn’t. While being questioned by anesthesia, they asked me about a bracelet I would be keeping on during surgery. I was a bit confused because I wasn’t wearing any jewelry.  

Just about the same time, Amy comes in with the medal I commented on at the beginning of our encounter. She took it off her own neck and gave it to me as I went into surgery. What a beautiful gift for a perfect stranger, and what an even more beautiful person that is Amy Edwards.  A kind, loving nurse and a beautiful soul. She saw that my family was anxious about my surgery, and comforted them.