My father was admitted to the emergency room, and sadly, he passed away three days later during his hospital stay. He had advanced Alzheimer’s, but what ultimately took his life was a 10 cm tumor discovered in his colon, something I only learned when I brought him to the emergency room that night.

I knew that my father was in tremendous pain and that nothing more would be done to save his life. Those days were incredibly difficult for my family and me.

During our time in the hospital, Guru was my father’s nurse, and I cannot express enough gratitude for the care he provided. He was exceptionally gentle and attentive, making sure not only that my father was comfortable and not in pain, but also that my family and I were supported during such an emotional time.

I spent much of the day in tears, and Guru was always there to console me with patience and kindness. At one point, he shared a tradition from his Mexican culture, eating grapes on New Year’s Eve for prosperity. Through my tears, I joked that I hoped he would eat an extra grape, and we shared a small, meaningful laugh. That moment of lightness meant more to me than he may ever know.

Guru’s compassion, empathy, and genuine humanity made an unbearable situation slightly more bearable. I will always remember the care he gave my father and the comfort he gave my family. Please let him know that his kindness did not go unnoticed, and I am deeply thankful to him.

I understand that all nurses work incredibly hard, enduring long 12 hour shifts while caring for others as part of their daily responsibilities. However, every once in a while, you encounter someone truly special. Guru is one of those individuals, and I am writing today in hopes that he receives the recognition he so genuinely deserves.