Over the few days we spent in hospice with my mom, we had the opportunity to get to know Magd AlNajjar. At only age 25, she reminded us how multi-dimensional good care can be. She not only provided excellent clinical care, was never late for a medication dose, and was knowledgeable enough to explain the care mom was receiving, but she also showed us the kind of heart and caring we saw from our own mother when she worked as a nurse in a geriatric facility.

She saw us as people, each struggling with an unexpected journey. Two specific examples of this come to mind. One evening, my mom spiked a fever. Magd took the time to give my mom a cool bath and apply compresses to her forehead. She explained to us that that is how her mother had cared for her when she had a fever. We shared with Magd that my mom was nearly famous for her chocolate chip cookies. She baked and shared so many that some of our friends called her "cookie." The next day, Magd brought us some cookies that her own mother had baked.

We imagine that some things in nursing can only be learned through experience, and we also saw Magd doing that with more experienced nurses by her side, but how can someone learn to care for strangers in such a meaningful way? We have a feeling there are just angels among us, born with such love in their hearts, and we are so grateful for it.