In my many years as a nurse, I have witnessed a few moments of pure compassion. Moments where I stood in awe of the caregiver providing such care, as if an angel from heaven itself was present in the room. This is such a moment. This past week, a tragedy befell our hospital. A mother lost her baby while here in the hospital. This mother had to undergo a cesarean section when it was discovered that no heart tones could be found. This mother, understanding so, did not wish to return to the unit where the discovery was made, where her world had been shattered. She chose to come to our postpartum unit after her delivery.

Routinely mothers who have lost a baby do not come to the post Partum Floor Here they are immersed in an area of happy families and crying babies, a constant environment of triggers that are not inductive to healing Our nurses, who are practiced at welcoming new mothers with joy and excitement, do not often care for patients who are reeling from the shock of an unbearable loss. When I needed to make assignments, I knew that I needed to assign her Chris Sandoval.

Chris has been an LVN for 30+ years. She is an expert nurse in her clinical judgement and nursing care, but what sets Chris apart is her level of unparalleled compassion. She has a natural nursing way about her. She exudes a calling presence. She puts her patients at ease as she envelopes them with kindness, acceptance, and love, and they immediately feel cared for by her. I instantly knew that God had predesigned this. God ensured that Chris would be working this very day to care for this very mother.

Chris greeted this mom with a heavy heart and open arms. She eased her way through her first day of recovery, providing support while allowing her space to grieve. Chris was just amazing. She anticipated the patients' every need. She knew that even making the smallest of decisions could prove daunting. She made the decisions for her.

From ensuring she took pain meds when available to ordering food to be brought to the room instead of the patient having to order herself, she allowed the patient the mental peace she needed Chris gave this family the opportunity to truly be present for one another She provided them with a sense of ease knowing that everything would be taken care of for them.

Going from a situation where everything was out of their control to here, where they knew that Chris was in control, was a much-needed blessing to this family. Chris prioritized this family's care, always being available for them. Chris took on that grief with them. She shared in their sorrow and felt the heartbreak with them. She cried with them and prayed with them. She treated that family like her own, providing them with empathy and understanding, shouldering the grief when it was too much to bear.

Chris alone took their baby from their arms and carried her away from them for the last time. She shook with tears and hushed emotion. Chris was that angel in the room that day, providing that family with the light and love, supporting them in countless ways. I know that she forever made a difference to this family.

She also had to take care of two other couples and had to turn off her sorrow and grief while she rejoiced and shared in the joy of a family enjoying their 1st baby and 1st grandbaby. All I know is that the level of care and compassion that I saw given that day could only be described as heavenly. Chris embodied the spirit of Jesus that day. She gave her all to her patient, and she deserves to be honored for her commitment to compassionate care.