I Stayed at the Hospital All Night

When my daughter Andrea was six-months-old, she contracted a blood infection and spent four days in the hospital. The first few hours were a nightmare of needles, spinal taps, fear, and tears. We got to bed, two young parents, on a fold-out cot, at 2:30am. Our daughter was four feet away in the crib, sucking on her middle two fingers, with an IV in her foot.

The next day we spoke with our beloved pediatrician, Dr. Durrell Johnson, the one who had sent us to the Children’s Hospital the night before. “We did not get to a room until 2:30am,” we told him. “I know,” Dr. Johnson said. “I stayed at the hospital all night to check on Andrea.”

That was 33 years ago. Every time I think about it, I cry. Every time.

What did Dr. Johnson think about his night at Leboneur Hospital, other than relieved that his little patient was going to be okay. Was it just another day in the life of a pediatrician? No big deal? Part of the job? A year later, did he even remember that night?

This father remembers. In fact, I will never forget.

Do not ever forget the power of a single act of kindness. Kindness is a tremendous force for good.

“I stayed at the hospital all night.”

Thank you Dr. Johnson.