Dec. 29, 2021

ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS - BEAUTY IN THE FACE OF WINTER STORMS

Monday, Dec. 28, 2021

Hello! Since 'Anna's hummingbirds', have been daily visitors, wintering in the tree outside our window and enjoying the feeder on our balcony, I think of our beautiful niece Anna often throughout the day. Anna is a registered nurse, who has sacrificed a great deal of her life for Covid 19 patients over the past two years. Her sacrifice extends far beyond the hospital, to having lived a very solitary life, for her own safety and the safety of others as well.

  Of course, I have not seen much of her during this time, other than porch visits with her family. Her exhaustion is clear to see. Anna is a very compassionate and sensitive person. We can't imagine the toll that the stress/distress takes, of caring for people who are so sick and/or dying, without their loved ones at their side. And of course there are the questions that just cannot be answered when nurses try to console the loved ones who are desperate on the other end of the phone.

  Unless we have been seriously affected ourselves, or have had a loved one in serious condition in hospital, or who has sadly died, we can't possibly know what it is like to walk (several miles per 12 hr. shift) in the shoes of nurses, doctors, therapists & all who work with seriously ill covid patients.

  The toll it is taking on the physical, mental & emotional health of these beautiful caregivers is a call for each of us to express our appreciation and kindness in whatever way we can, toward them.  Health care providers are asked to give more than 100% physically, mentally & emotionally at work. They are human beings, not human doings! 

   Anna's Hummingbirds! I was so happy to discover that this is the name of the wintering hummingbirds in our region. A group of hummingbirds is also known as a 'charm' or 'bouquet'! Both names beautifully apply to our niece.

   It seems the number of covid hospitalizations has been declining recently. It's still too high, and demanding more than the present number of healthcare providers can manage well, without burning out due to the great burden this pandemic has created.

  If you are a care provider, I thank God for you! I have been on the receiving end of such great love and care over the past year and I absolutely, do not take it for granted. I appreciate you! God bless you!

PS I can't help but think of how inspired & proud Anna's grandfather would be. As a WWII veteran who made great sacrifices for the sake of others, he would see Anna's sacrifices to be that of a soldier on the front line. Words that must never be a cliché.