Nel

Noah’s first and only visitor outside immediate family, hospital staff, and other PICU parents has been to the hospital to visit Noah twice. The visitor, a dear friend of the family, has known Maria since they worked together in college. Then they both grew up to be teachers here in Guilford County. I’ll call our friend Nel.

Nel’s first trip to visit Noah came shortly after Noah was born. She came the same day my father came to see Noah for the first time. On Nel’s trip home from the hospital that evening, she stopped to gas up her new Honda. Before getting back in her car, the gas station attendant called out to her to make sure she knew that she had filled her tank with diesel. Nel didn’t realize that, but knew her car didn’t take diesel. Fortunately, Nel didn’t start her car. Unfortunately, Nel had to get her car towed to a repair shop so they could drain the tank. It was an innocent but costly mistake.

Nel’s second trip to see Noah was today. Nel told Maria that she would be driving by on her return from the airport and asked if she could stop by to see Noah. Maria told Noah’s nurse that Nel would be coming by and that Nel could have any questions she had answered. When Nel got back to Noah’s room, she sat on the stool and said that she thought it was hot in the room. The nurse told her to have a seat in the big chair and she would get her some ice water. When the nurse returned, Nel was face down on the floor. She had passed out. Nel ended up losing a tooth and needing stitches in her chin.

Today, I ask those who pray to include Nel in your prayers. And Nel, we sincerely thank you for going to visit Noah, but please understand if we prohibit you from going again. It’s for your own good.