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The Worst Night of my Life

Tonight's prompt triggered a memory that I have been trying to bury for the last 15 years and have never spoken of since it happened. Perhaps it is time I did.

First, in my own personal life, I made my choices and I dearly benefited from those choices. I'm not rich, but I am definitely not poor. I have what money can not buy. I have 4 wonderful children and 7 beautiful grandchildren. I am surrounded with love. I have a roof over my head and food on my table. I can wake up each morning, breathing and able to smile. Oh sure, I have had my trials through out my life- but isn't that what life is? Sometimes we do things that are stupid but that is being human.

What I wanted to talk about was something I said to a patient, that if I could rewind the whole night for everyone involved - I would.

I worked as a RN in the operating room. I was on call that night and was called in at 2am for a gunshot wound. I received a 14 year old gang member kid who had been shot in the back. (I still remember all the details) This child was crying and begging for his mama, I stroked his head and promised him that he would be alright and he would see his mama soon. (words I never repeated to another patient) 2 blood infusion pumps set up and 26 pints blood later- he died. If I could rewind that night for all I would.

Kristina