Justin and I were recently chatting.

Most conversations revolve around Ben, what can we do for Courtney, what do the big kids need, what is for breakfast, lunch and dinner and endless snacks, who is going to the hospital today and who is watching the big kids.

The nurses at Shands Pediatric Hospital were talked about.

Justin called them the Seal Team of Nurses. They are the best of the best and while I have no doubt that nurses everywhere deserve the highest praise, as we watch the nurses care for Ben, we think they are extra special. We take them cookies and fresh laid eggs from our chickens. I speak words of encouragement to them as we stand around Bens bedside.

Yesterday, I spent time with Ben while his Mommy, Daddy and two older brothers left the hospital to attend Mass at a nearby Parrish and have dinner.

The hospital room is windowless and sterile. There are machines dispensing medicines and lots of screens to watch all the time.

I am not introverted and I like to get to know people. This would include Bens nurse yesterday. I instantly liked her. What makes you like someone? Their personality? Their demeanor? The loving nature they just have when their job to is care for the sickest of small children.

Many people are fascinated with our family dynamic. When we speak of a multi-generational home with folks raging from age 6 months to 88 years old, many don’t get it. They say they could never do THAT or they wish their family could live as we do. There is not much in between.

I spoke to Bens nurse about our Ocala family and then we spoke of our kids/men and granddaughter Abby who live in Massachusetts. We wish for them to move back to Florida, but until then we make the best of it with quarterly visits and lots of Facetine calls. She responds “I don’t normally talk about my family, but I have a wife and a child.” I listen intently as she speaks after congratulating her on her sweet family. She continues, “I listened as you spoke of your son, his husband and their daughter and assumed you would be okay me speaking of my wife and daughter.” I asked her why she was hesitant. She replied “I don’t want to make my patients or their families uncomfortable and I can’t have them hate me for the 12 hours as I care for their loved one.” My eyes……immediately filled with tears. “You never have to worry about this room. This room loves and we are excited to hear about your family.

Now, it is two days later and I’m still thinking about her. When you are amidst strangers, maybe think outside your box. It’s easy to get wrapped up in our own lives, me included…….but WOW people deserve to be seen and heard for who they are. People should feel able to share their lives whether you agree with them or not. She is proud of her family and wants to share with others without feeling judged or hated.

What an honor to show love to someone while they are showing love to our Ben. What better way to show the love of Jesus than by acceptance, non judgemental behavior and kindness.

I shared with my friend Becky about my conversation with Bens nurse and she always has the best things to say. Her response was “This little guy, with so many health issues is helping to spread love everywhere to everyone.”

So grateful for the seal team of nurses at Shands Pediatric Hospital.

We are currently on week 4 of our family being displaced from one another. It could possibly be 3 more weeks of Ben and Courtney being in the hospital.

Your continued prayers are appreciated.