In the quiet halls of night shift during my first year as a nurse, I found myself attending to Ms. Thompson (name changed) who was facing the final chapter of her life. She was at the end stage of breast cancer. Despite the somber atmosphere in her room, an inexplicable sense of peace and joy surrounded her.
As the hours passed one night, Ms. Thompson began to share stories of her life, her joys, and her deep faith. Her eyes sparkled with a tranquility that seemed to transcend the hospital room. Ms. Thompson was only in her 50s, but she was at peace with God’s decision about the end of her life.
A single mother, she was leaving behind a daughter that Ms. Thompson’s mother would help take care of. With a serene smile, Ms. Thompson spoke softly, saying she was ready to meet God and that her only wish was that God would use her to allow her mother to believe in Jesus. It was a simple yet profound wish—that they would be able to meet again in heaven.
It was a silent understanding among nurses that we are part of something greater-- channeling love and comfort in the most challenging moments. In that moment, I offered her prayer for her family, particularly for her mother. It was an honor to hear Ms. Thompson’s story.
Later that week, I was assigned to care for Ms. Thompson again. She could no longer speak; her eyes remained closed. She was on a heart monitor so we would know when she passed.
Since she didn’t have any family with her, I sat by her bedside, holding her hand. An hour later, she peacefully passed. It was my first time preparing someone to go to the morgue. I felt peace throughout the process, knowing that she was in a better place and that I was able to comfort her in her last moments.
Through the simplicity of one woman's faith and her poignant desire for her mother's salvation, Jesus had also worked to bring a sense of peace and grace to a hospital room, leaving an indelible mark on me. Ms. Thompson had experienced many of life’s troubles, yet reflected Christ so strongly in her last moments that I was also able to find peace in this sorrowful situation. Jesus did not say following Him would be easy, but ultimately it would be glorious.
The memory of Ms. Thompson's peaceful departure from this life fueled my commitment to providing compassionate holistic care to bring patients healing physically and spiritually.
WZ is a registered nurse.
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