I'm Not Family
Submitted by Mckenna Grzegorski
Tags: end of life care family nurse practitioner patient care
Im not family. Im not a distant relative or a friend your kid brought home for the holidays. Im not a neighboor you invite to your block parties or a aquantence you hope to bump into at the grocery store. Im not a part of your life in any way, until you need me. Im not family but i know your grandfathers favorite song and sing it with him as we help him clean up for the day. Im not family but I know your sister hates scrambled eggs, and only wants oatmeal for her breakfast. Im not family but I know about how scared you were that you were sexually assulted and afraid of what your parents may think. But you feel comfortable enough to cry in my arms. I not be family but you tell me stories of your mother as shes passing, that she was a partier back in the day. I make us mocktails and we have one last party. Together. Im not family but your kids pulled on my pantlegs asking why their brother wasnt walking up, looking to me for answers and comfort. Im not family but I listen intently and pray for you when you tell me things in secret, knowing your word is safe with me. Im not family but I held your hand as you took your last breath. No blood relatives to be found. Giving you permission to leave this world and holding you until your last breath. Im not family but I was there the day your world stopped turning, crying with you when there was nothing more we could do. They were gone. Im not family but you are in my thoughts and prayers. Your family is the reason I go to work every day. The reason I keep learning, keep growing, and keep my passion for health care. So no, Im not family. I was your mothers, your fathers, your sons, and daughters nurse and to me, you are family.