Dear... Sophorla
I want you to know how proud we are of you. How brilliant you both are, not just now - in this time of crisis - but in overcoming all the adversities you have overcome in your lives so you can take care of others; studying so hard to pass all your exams and always doing above and beyond what was expected of you.
Sophie, I’ve known you for a long time (in fact, the longest time possible, since met while still in respective wombs!) and you are more caring, kind and loving than anyone else I know.
Together, with your perfect match, Orla, you are an unstoppable team. I feel lucky to know you both.
I just watched Orla’s video on facebook - I sat for the full 3.24 minutes as she put on her hospital protective gear, ready for a long, difficult shift on the ITU critical care unit - and it made me cry.
It showed the painful, truthful, physical reality of what your daily work is like now. It’s normal for you. But it is extraordinary. You are the people who run towards danger, not away from it. You hold people’s hands in their worst moments, you help people to live and to die, with dignity and love.
You are who the world needs today and everyday.
I don’t cry often. I think the last time I cried was six months ago when I visited you at your lovely new home, and Sophie, you told me the stories of some of the very sick children you had been looking after in the intensive care unit, and the incredibly difficult decisions and outcomes that come with doing a job like that.
You told me you cried on the bus home most days. It broke my heart.
But I know they were so lucky to have you as their nurse. Anyone would be.
We appreciate you. We love you. You are brave and strong and adaptable. Your patients need you now and they will in the future.
It is heartbreaking to know that most of the people you are looking after are alone right now. But they are not alone, really, when you are there with them.
And you will never be alone.
We are here for you, and we always will be.
Keep strong, this will pass soon, and then you will be able to tell all our grandkids (and grandkittens) about it. They will be so proud of you both, too.
You are my heroes.
Love you lots,