I just love this photo of Florence Nightingale holding the lamp, making her way through the dimly lit corridors of less-than-ideal conditions to care for “the least of these.” She was called to enter into the suffering of others, with kindness as a healing salve, her dedication an inspiration, and her compassion beyond measure. Her contributions had a profound impact in the advancement of nursing practice. We celebrate nurses during the month in which, she was born as a fond remembrance of her dedication.
Yet, it was her deep devotion and ability to see the sacredness in all beings. She describes it well, does she not? "Nursing is an art: and if it is to be made an art, it requires an exclusive devotion as hard a preparation as any painter’s or sculptor’s work; for what is the having to do with dead canvas or dead marble, compared with having to do with the living body, the temple of God’s spirit? It is one of the Fine Arts: I had almost said, the finest of Fine Arts." ~Florence Nightingale
When I think of what a nurse/caregiver offers these thoughts from Henri Nouwen speak to my heart. “When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.” Henri Nouwen
During nurses’ week (celebrated May 6-May 12) take a moment to think of a nurse who has made a difference in your life and the lives of others. Send them or loving thought or reach out to express appreciation and/or better extend a hug!
A Blessing for Nurses
May rest find you,
In the peaceful moments when all is still,
In the quiet times when you pause
And breathe.
May rest find you
In the chaos of the moment
In the sorrow you seek to heal.
May rest strengthen and bless you.
May it fill your spirit
And give you unearned joy.
May you find rest in the care of others,
In the knowledge of your worth,
In the value of your service.
May the One who gives rest
Bless you and hold you close.
And may you, in your very being,
Be a place of rest for others.
Amen.
By Sr. Juliana Casey
Nurses are some of the best people I know!
Honor a nurse by writing their name and sharing one word that best describes that them.
Liz Sorensen Wessel
