Have Heroes

Long awaited greetings from Mile 9,449...

Ever have a moment where you just don't have the words?

Or possibly, a year??

At Mile 9,449, I take my first steps inside Jefferson Hospital since before the pandemic began...

There I meet up with Nurse Deb. 

Well, she used to be my nurse.  And technically, she still steps in when necessary.

But after 10 years we know each other so well, we're more like sisters.

This is our first walk together in 14 months!

Next stop:  Roxanne.   

If supporting families during a pandemic weren't enough, Roxanne took it upon herself to care for A Thousand Miles Healing Garden while I was away.  

You've heard of guardian angels?

Roxanne is a "garden" angel!

In these hallways, I feel like THANKING everyone I see.  

But really, there aren't enough words.

We head down to 7 Center, the unit where Deb works everyday, and where -- for a while -- I was a frequent flyer. 

I spent some dark days here.  But nothing can compare to the care and compassion I received.  

On the first anniversary of my accident, the nurses organized a walk to celebrate my recovery.

That was Mile 160.
(Click here for a video of that day.)

Years have passed since then.  

Today, many nurses here know me only for my cookies. 

(And I'm fine with that!)

Still, what a joy it is to say "thank you" in person!

Mile 9,449 goes by fast.  

Everyone's got work to do.  This hospital keeps going.  Always.

On my way out, I pause to peer into the hospital atrium.

My old room, 7206 -- the one I was in the longest -- had this same view.  

Back then, I couldn't get out of bed to look out the window.  All I could see was the muted winter sky.

Now I look up.  Look down.  

Scan the rows and rows of windows, each one a glimpse into another patient's room. 

It's like an X-ray of the hospital's insides. 

Multiply my story by hundreds.  By thousands.

By a global pandemic.

The HEROES HERE make those stories possible.

In these windows are their words...

Tough times don't last.  Tough people do!

It always seems impossible until it's done.

Shine bright.  The world needs your light.

Mile 9,449 was 3 weeks ago.  That's how long it's taken me to write this "postcard."

I could blame the post office, but really, I just couldn't explain how it feels.

Being here.

Being back.

Being grateful.

As I step onto the elevator, one more window catches my eye.

"That one's from our team,"  Deb says,  "7 Center."

I should have known...

Have heart.  Have hope.  

Have heroes.

Walk on!
Rebecca

P.S.  If you need an extra dose of resilience, check out I'll Stand By You, a video by some very talented Jefferson physicians -- which features many more heroes.  (Cookie Medic even got a cameo!)