A few years ago, my family went through a house fire that tragically took the life of my 13-year-old brother, who had special needs. In the middle of this heartbreak, Katy became a source of love and comfort for me during this awful time in my life. She did not just care for him medically; she cared for his soul and the person he was. She sat by his bedside and played Christian music to surround him with peace. She asked about his favorite shows, favorite foods, and all the little things that made him smile, and she listened closely when I wanted to share stories about him. She made me feel that my brother was truly seen and celebrated as the wonderful boy he was.

I will never forget the moment she drew Gloria the hippopotamus from Madagascar on the whiteboard in his room because Gloria was his favorite character. She even searched for a toy hippopotamus to sit beside him so he would never feel alone. She also drew Gloria again on a sticky note just for me and signed her name on the back with a little heart. That simple act meant so much to me because it showed she cared not only for my brother, but for me too. I still treasure that sticky note as a reminder of her kindness.

Katy gave us keepsakes that mean the world to us, helping us make imprints of my brother's hands and creating a stuffed monkey with his heartbeat inside for my mom, which she treasures deeply. Every gesture, every word, every act of kindness from Katy carried so much love. She gave my brother dignity, gave my mother mementos that mean the world to her, and gave me the gift of hope and resilience even in times of darkness.

Katy not only helped my mom and I through the worst tragedy of our lives, she also changed me. She gave me the strength to take the pain of losing my brother and turn it into something good. One day, I am going to be the nurse who helps children and families through the hardest moments of their lives, the same way Katy helped me. She touched my heart in ways words can hardly capture.