I took my son to the emergency room today and was gently reminded that we as humans have NO idea what someone else faces everyday. I love my career as a health care provider and I often believe my compassion is sincere and my patience is extensive. However, as a patient today with my 3 year old -- in an "un-fun" environment I want to give a shout out to an AMAZING pediatric nurse. My son went through 5 movies watching all but 5 minutes of each, color books, blocks, a teddy bear, bubbles, a wall mount tv, an I-pad I had brought with me, took a walk down the hall, and 2 small cars and still our nurse encouraged me that she had a lot of tricks up her sleeve and not to worry that he was antsy and wanted to "go home mama". We spent 5 hours in a boring room, and my little man was a champ, but this woman was kind and patient, and told me how great of a mom I was as she inserted an IV into tiny little veins that took three of us to hold him down including my legs. I do not take my son to the doctor on a whim. In fact, working in health care I tend to steer clear of the doctor and emergency rooms, but today my heart and mind knew it was necessary. As many of you know our medical history, I was again touched when our sweet nurse said, "I read your history and would have never guessed or noticed, he is amazing." Yes, I fought tears. I strive to give Lincoln every opportunity to be strong and work hard at therapy so he can live a "typical" life and the words of a stranger touched me. I thanked her and she asked my story so I gave her the run-down 5 minute version. She listened intently and then shared her own horrifying story that could have ended poorly but didn't. I sat in the ER today as she brought my son a prize car and popsicle for being so good and wanted to cry ... I wasn't sure if it was proud tears that I might be doing something right, or thankful tears that a nurse working on a Sunday made my unexpected day better by being kind, compassionate and completely relatable. Maybe they were even tears of exhaustion -- but no matter the reason for them, I felt grateful. I was supposed to work myself today at the hospital and had to call co-workers to cover me, and they did. No hesitation, no worry that I couldn't be with my son. Tonight when I was finally able to finish my shift so my dear co-worker could go home, I hope that someone else found me just as compassionate and kind as I found my nurse today. Regardless of the reason people seek emergency rooms, hospitals, health care or anything really in life, human nature deserves kindness and the best quality care we can give. Thank you to an AMAZING nurse today. May we all live up to her standards!!