Grace was with our daughter, E, on the day she delivered her firstborn son, S, at 25 weeks of gestation. E had been Life Flighted to Sacred Heart, and her son was taken in emergency C-Section. S was so, so tiny; only 1lb 10oz. Grace was there on S's first day. Grace was also there on S's last day. From the very first day, a day of fear and pain, Grace showed E and her husband, J, compassion and love.

E said about Grace that "she answered every question we had, included us in care for S, and included us in the nursing care by explaining what she was doing and why, as often as she could. She worked diligently and quickly each day that she was with S, even when all his IVs beeped constantly and interrupted her work. She was a friendly face in the NICU and a sweet and welcoming person who we quickly grew to trust." We, E's parents, saw Grace consult quickly with other staff often when she wanted to be sure she was doing the very best things for S. She flew around the room when S was in critical condition. She slowed down to talk, ask what we all needed, and to explain things when S was more stable.

In moments of quiet, she spoke with E and J about her own life and who she was as a person, allowing them into her life, just as she was involved so crucially in theirs. S became critically ill. It became clear that, barring a direct miracle, S would not survive. The next day, it was Grace who was his RN. When E and J heard that Grace would be with them, J said, "Oh, good! I am so glad Grace is on," and we saw him physically relax with the knowledge. It was so clear that Grace held a special place in their hearts. Grace explained the nuances behind all the many treatments, medications, and machine settings that were being tried that day. She explained things in ways that were easy for E and J to understand. J said, "It was so good and helpful to not be confused as we were making decisions about S's care."

Grace kept her composure throughout that day and worked with hopefulness even when it was clear that S was going to die. She didn't start to slow down on his treatments; she kept responding quickly with each IV beep and with each intervention because our S was still under her care, no matter how close to the end she knew him to be. There came a point when it became clear that all the life-sustaining efforts should cease. E and J spoke with the care team, who walked gently beside them as they made the agonizing decision to allow S to pass. We watched Grace transform from the fast-flying RN of treatments and consults into the gentle RN of empathy, genuine, heartbreaking compassion, and delicate kindness. Her pace slowed, and her touch somehow became even more delicate with our tiny, tiny grandson. E said, "She rejoiced with us when we were rejoicing, and she wept with us when we were weeping." We saw Grace's tears. We felt her grief. We know that she was truly with them in her very soul. It was Grace who helped lift S into the arms of his daddy, the first time J had ever held his son, in those final moments. It was Grace who gently wrapped S in his swaddle as she tucked him into J's arms. It was Grace who gently brushed S's blonde hair and cried as she said goodbye to our grandson. It was Grace who was right beside our beautiful children as they felt S pass away in their arms. It was Grace who wrapped her arms around our daughter as she grieved and wept. It was Grace who came back to find us all, long after her shift ended that night, and to tell us, "I know that S was here. I know his name. He will not be forgotten." Thank you, Grace. God bless you.