In the crappy world of nursing, it's very easy to let people steal your joy and convince you that you're a horrible nurse. I know...I'm there, actively looking outside of the NICU for work, since I can't stay on my unit any longer and no other local NICUs are hiring.
Then, out of the blue it happens. Someone tells you that the parents of a NICU grad is trying to find you, to reconnect so that you can see their now healthy baby, so they can thank you for your competent and compassionate care of their baby a few years ago.
They want to tell you what a difference you made in their lives. How they credit you with them having their baby today. How they've never forgotten your gentle care and kindness/understanding. How you're their hero. They want pictures of you snuggling their sweet, healthy baby.
Thank you, kind lady, for making my day. And for the small but greatly needed affirmation that the work I have done WAS appreciated, WAS competent, and WAS worthwhile. It'll help me leave this field, God willing, with some of my joy intact.