I am writing this in full recognition and appreciation of the outstanding angelic work by our ICU nurse, Katherine “Kathy,” who tended to my loving mother in her final days on this earth. My mom was my only living family member left, and my entire world.

Immediately upon the first day coming across Kathy, I knew we had lucked out. Her warm energy, smile, and calmness immediately filled the room. Her attentiveness to detail was what really stood out to me. She asked about my mom and my relationship in a way that showed she genuinely wanted to know, which personalized the care I felt my mom was receiving from her.

I had mentioned my mom was very particular about her hair always looking nice, and one day I came in, and my mom’s hair was sticking straight up. Kathy didn’t even hesitate. Without me asking, she brushed her hair to make it look nice. Another day, I had mentioned my mother had sensitive eyes to bright lights after her cataract surgery, and then I came in the next day to find she had lightly covered my mom’s eyes. She remembered this detail, and because the lights had to be on, she still found a way to make my mom feel comforted as her eyes were stuck open.

It had been three weeks of no responses from my mom as she was intubated, and no one had been able to get reactions from her, especially in her hands. Everyone had tried to get my mom to squeeze their hand, but Kathy knew, from me constantly sharing, that my mom struggled with numbness in her fingers due to Raynaud’s, making that difficult for her.

So, would you believe, after three weeks, the best day for me was when Kathy showed me she had gotten my mom to respond by raising her eyebrows repeatedly. I was so excited. It was the first sign of my mom we had received in this dark time, and it was because of Kathy. My mom had a tendency to be hard-headed, and I believe it was the light, laughter, and trust my mom felt in that room between Kathy and me that allowed her to respond. I am forever grateful, as that was the last day we had my mom before she passed the following day.

ICUs are understandably busy and require quick decisions to be made in a timely manner, and they can be frightening for any family member. But Kathy had a way of not only being professional but humane in helping me understand and navigate the information I was provided about my mom’s condition. She even came in on her two days off and worked over so she could be there with my mom.

On the last day, when we had to say our goodbyes, it was Kathy who lent me a shoulder to cry on and provided tissues as I was hysterical. I felt such a deep trust in her.

I want everyone to know that she is not only an outstanding and knowledgeable nurse, but also that she was placed in the right career because of the natural light and love she exudes. She will inspire me every day.

From my mom in heaven, myself, and my mom's husband, thank you for bringing light to a very dark chapter.