In 1982, the famed gospel songwriter Andrae’ Crouch wrote a song with lyrics that contain the following words: “How can I say thanks, for the things You have done for me? Things so undeserved, yet, You gave to prove Your love for me; The voices of a million angels, could not express my gratitude. All that I am, and ever hope to be, I owe it all to Thee”.
While the song is giving God the glory, the words are apropos for nurses that we all love and respect. During the first week of May each year, we honor our “angels” and tell them “thanks for all that they have done and continue to do for us”. While this year is no exception, what made this Nurses’ Day especially meaningful is the light that the COVID-19 pandemic has shone on the sacrifice of these angels. When asking people what nurses mean to them, the following quotes were shared with me.
“I love nurses because people who are in need of a nurses’ touch can always count on the nurse to give them exactly what they need, at the exact time that they need it.”
“Nurses can alleviate an individual’s stress, anxiety and in some instances, pain. The soft voice of a nurse can almost mask a person’s pain.”
A nurse will give you hope when there is no hope. A nurse must have a quality of care that stems from humility and all of the other branches that come from that humility will actually heal a patient.”
The most poignant comment comes from 11-year-old Pearson G. Paige who stated:
“I love nurses. A nurse is something special. Nurses are cool. Nurses are nice.”
