Brandon is always a thoughtful and caring nurse, but today he showed an extra step that touched my heart. He was caring for a young patient who is transitioning to comfort care, hoping to make it home with hospice. This patient has 4 young children. His twin 4yr olds will be turning 5 this month and he sadly may not make it to their birthday.

As I walked through the unit, I saw Brandon greeting the young children as they timidly entered the ICU with their mother, assuring them they were welcome. He gently guides them into their dad’s room for what may be their last visit with him, and then he hustles back out to the station to finish creating “towel cakes” for their birthday. He sweetly asks the other nurses for help gathering supplies as he rolls up towels and colors cotton-tipped applicator “candles.” Satisfied with his work, he grabs the cakes, practically skips into the room with the Child Life Advocate, and happily sings Happy Birthday to the children. The kids are giddy with delight, and we are teary at the nurse’s station. He then runs to the cafeteria to get them real cake too.

It’s truly the little things that others don’t realize that can make such a difference to someone. This patient may not make it home to see his children turn 5, but he was able to see the joy in their faces because of Brandon’s creativity and thoughtfulness. It was also touching to see the joy that he had in creating this memory for them. He is a great example of what the DAISY Award is all about!