A letter to my long time patient’s mom —

You were trapped in the fishbowl of our ICU.

You went from a numb stare

to near catatonic with grief

to terse and closed in

to opening your door a crack

to pouring your heart out, telling me stories, speaking of fears and hopes and uncertainties and determination

and you told me about her, you and her, then and now.

You gave me a gift in your trust, in your story, in the way you let me in and let me come alongside.

I have fears and hopes and questions about her future, your future.

But what I know for certain is that she is beautiful, and you are brave, and you are a better mom than I think you will ever know. You’ve laid your life down for her.

I hope one day I might see you and her again, and have my breath taken away at how far you’ve come.

Godspeed. Thank you for letting me take care of your girl.