Nurses, it has been said time and again, go above and beyond the call of duty every day. All Nurses deserve an award. But, when one of our loved ones, especially our own children, hold us in high esteem, well ... it means more than what mere words can convey. What has one of your loved ones said about you as a Nurse that left you speechless and a little teary-eyed?

My Daddy was a jazz and classical musician and public school music teacher.

He also worked as a studio musician. Because there are big staff expenses for studio recordings there are no rehearsals or "do overs'. Each musician was expected to sight read with no mistakes. One mistake and the musician never did a studio job again

He played the trumpet solo for "The Waltons" and i can hear his horn in many movies and TV shows, even elevator music.

When he was diagnosed with metastatic cancer he had a big party with his friends and family. There was, of course lots of music.

He was a modest man who never watched TV in his underwear like some of my friends fathers. He never use a four letter word.

He chose hospice care at home.

One evening I came home from work to hear a panicked message from my sister and step mother. I headed out for his house while my husband called to let them know I was on the way.

It was a "Code Brown".

He was in a king size bed. They didn't know how to make an occupied bed.

As I was nearly done cleaning everything up my stepmother said, "It must be difficult for you to have to do something so personal for your Dad."

My Daddy answered, "No. She is a professional. To her it is like me practicing scales."

He understood that a skill or technique is necessary, but nursing is an art as well as a science.

That is how he gave his daughter a priceless gift.

This brought tears to my eyes, herring_RN, and a smile to my face.

Me too! I really miss my Dad as well.

Esme12 said:

Me too! I really miss my Dad as well.

Yeah, me, too. And, even saying THAT out loud made me cry.

sirI and Esme: Thank you!

We are blessed to have had the love of a father.

We are also blessed to be nurses. Our work is important.

My Dad at age 13.

In his fifties with fellow musicians.

In his seventies.

Very distinguished and handsome man.

I had to look him up and read all the accolades about him.

Yes, we are truly blessed. :)

Wow. What a wonderful gift and memory. Tears in my eyes as I miss my Daddy too.

I was not yet a nurse but boy did I advocate for him when he could not and helped with his care as much as I could. I remember bringing my then 5 almost 6 year old son to visit every single Saturday after swim class. He was minimally conscious for the last year but everyone could see a change in his expression and the light come back in his eyes when my son entered the room. Years before I had helped my dad care for his own father in his last days.

JustBeachyNurse said:

WOW!. What a wonderful gift and memory. Tears in my eyes as I miss my Daddy too.

I was not yet a nurse but boy did I advocate for him when he could not and helped with his care as much as I could. I remember bringing my then 5 almost 6 year old son to visit every single Saturday after swim class. He was minimally conscious for the last year but everyone could see a change in his expression and the light come back in his eyes when my son entered the room. Years before I had helped my dad care for his own father in his last days.

Your Daddy knows. Thank you for advocating for your father. And now for your patients.

Here was my Dad with my son. My son is now almost 45 years old.

These are great.

My greatest "rewards" always come from my daughter and they came most often when I worked hospice. She admired me the most then, I think. She occasionally made a visit with me and my elderly patients just loved seeing her.

Anytime she had to do one of those kindergarten or first-grade paper she always wrote about how great or smart her mom was. I remember the first that was a picture of me in my ciel blue scrubs taking care of a patient in a bed. Across the top it said, "My mom's a nurse. She knows everything."