05/10/2026
this holiday for mothers is a mixed bag of feels for sure-
a small gesture became the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me.
It was late, and I had driven three hours after dark and in the rain to get to my mother's bedside. She was dying. Stroke. I needed to get my power of attorney down there to make sure they did Not hook her up to machines that go beep and whir. The doctors met me there and showed me her tests. Her brain was gone. So I made the decision. (other siblings were in transit and of little help anyway- my sister refused to go in the room, and my brother barely stepped inside before leaving- it was on me folks- the youngest kid) There I sat. I was desperate for a cup of coffee- caffeine- I had to be up in the morning to go home and talk to my dad who was paralyzed from a stroke. Again, the siblings left that up to me. I had a young girl stop in the room around two am and ask me if I was ok and could she get me anything? She identified herself as a nurse in training. I told her I needed a cup of coffee or a pop. She indicated the coffee machine was closed, the cafeteria was closed, and there were no vending machines. I thanked her for her kindiness, and sat nursing a helluva headache and heartache.
Then there was a quiet knock on the door. It was the nurse in training again. She was carrying a can of coke. A can of coke never looked so good. I thanked her and she said it was nothing, she was just sharing her lunch with me. She offered me food as well, but I just wanted the coke. She said some kind words, and vanished. I never saw her again, but if she became a nurse she was one of the best ever.
That small act of kindness has stuck witih me. I will never forget that. So this week, if you get a chance, a small act of kindness might mean the world to someone else.
