The light still shines

Madam – The light still shines …

Every morning I awake, knowing that the day will be filled with both beautiful and challenging moments, sometimes even the unsuspected and very difficult situations.

Though while the day is dawning and I’m still drinking my coffee, somewhere in Newcastle, there are women and men ready with their hearts filled with love and hands ready to serve, ready to meet you in the most difficult moment, the most unexpected moments, vulnerable moments we never would hope for or dream would happen.

“Each day is a blessing with every little one that finds a special spot in our hearts.” Quote- Sister Ina Pretorius (Newcastle Mediclinic Paediatric Ward).

Arriving at 6.45am, the morning begins, minutes and hours become precious moments with the children and families they serve. With her team she comes alongside the moms and dads who long with all their hearts that their little one will soon be running around, hearing their laughter again.

An embrace is never too much, to hold one a little close when tears run, even in that moment when a smile embraces the face of the most beautiful little baby boy or even getting a bowl of cereal is never too much. There are no lengths they wouldn’t go to see each little one healthy and ready for a new adventure just waiting to begin.

Taking hands with the doctors, they become their hands and feet, to be there; every detail is important, nothing gets left out. “We become the doctor’s eyes and ears and advocate for the best possible care for each and every child admitted to our unit”.

Twelve hours are but precious moments in these women’s hands. I can’t begin to imagine their joy when the little one is getting stronger and together with the doctors and family they celebrate as they give health education to the parents for when the little ones will be going home.

With every shift change, it is but a precious gift of 24 hours of taking hands, day night to care for your most precious gift, your family. Even in the darkest night their love and care still shine forth.

Donna Wilk Cardillo once said: “When I think about all the patients and their loved ones that I have worked with over the years, I know most of them don’t remember me nor I them, but I do know that I gave a little piece of myself to each of them and they to me and those threads make up the beautiful tapestry in my mind that is my career in nursing.”

To all the nurses and doctors who work within the Paediatric Ward at Newcastle Mediclinic, thank you for weaving those threads into the most beautiful tapestry in our families, thank you for every moment, every second that you devote yourselves to our loved ones.

“It is not how much you do, but how much love you put in the doing,” said Mother Theresa.

Thank you for the love and care you give during the most vulnerable moments in our lives. We appreciate all you do.

Nadia Roux