As the age-old adage goes, the devil is in the details. By heeding the wisdom of those who are older and more experienced, we can often expand our knowledge and personal growth, acquiring insights that might otherwise elude us.
Nurses are frequently on the front lines, bearing witness to some of the most difficult and trying moments in people’s lives on a near-daily basis. It stands to reason, then, that nurses are perhaps the ones who witness more miraculous occurrences than anyone else. Such was the experience of nurse Brandalyn Mae Porter when she noticed a particular detail about an elderly woman’s hands…
When Brandalyn Mae Porter posted an image on social media, at first glance, all viewers saw were the hands of an aged woman. However, it was only after reading Brandalyn’s accompanying words that they perceived those hands in an entirely new and profound manner.
The image, along with its caption, was shared over 160,000 times on Facebook.
“Today, while at work, I was painting the nails of a new resident. As we were discussing color options, she stated that she wanted clear. My immediate thought was, ‘Clear?! That’s hardly exciting.’
“I inquired as to why she wanted clear, and she replied, ‘My hands are unattractive, and I don’t want to draw attention to them.’ I then thoughtfully responded, ‘Your hands tell the story of your life. They speak of love, care, and adventure. These hands have held and touched things that many people can only dream of one day.’ After that, she decided to go with pink for her nails.
“Sometimes, what we ourselves feel insecure about, others see as beautiful.”
How remarkable it is that the nurse was able to enhance the elderly lady’s self-esteem. Surely, this is a lesson from which we can all benefit.
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