Peaceful Hours

May 12th is International Nurses Day. Having worked alongside so many amazing nurses here in Southern California , I’ve seen how much heart you put into every patient. Being there for someone during their toughest times is so much more than just a job—it’s a calling. 1. More Than Just Medical Care You are the ones who make sure everything runs smoothly in the ward, providing expert medical care with a human touch. Especially in hospice, your presence and your words are often the greatest comfort a family can have. I have so much respect for the way you handle the pressure every single day. 2. You Need a Break, Too Even in a professional setting, caring for others takes a lot out of you emotionally. Sometimes, just "getting some rest" isn't enough to recharge your soul. I hope you can take a moment today to look after yourself, too. It would be so good if you could just sit with your own heart for a while. 3. A Simple Thought for Your Shift: "I am a Vessel of Peace...

When I opened the door, she was holding a doll. I greeted her gently. “How are you doing today?” She responded in fragments — stories of a home she had lived in long ago, a name here and there, words flowing without connection. She was a woman in her 70s, in the advanced stages of dementia , receiving hospice care in the United States. I quietly walked in and sat beside her. There was no real conversation to be had. I simply stayed, listening. But one thing was clear. When she said, “I miss my daughter,” her eyes changed. Amid all the tangled words, that one sentence stood out with clarity. She clutched the doll beside her, and tears filled her eyes. I had her daughter’s phone number, but reaching her wasn’t easy. Then one day, the call finally went through. Her daughter, who lived in another state, shared what had been happening and mentioned that her mother’s birthday was coming up. On her birthday, I arranged a video call. “Mom, it’s me… Happy birthday… I love you.” In t...