Heading home in the dark

The unit was full. Full of sick, sad and frightened people needing comfort and safety and some seriously skilled care.
Two died in the night.
Nurses are so privileged as we so quickly cross boundaries of intimacy rarely possible elsewhere. We enter raw spaces seldom witnessed by others.
The daughter hugged me after the breath had stopped. Hugged and thanked a complete stranger who in a few minutes unwittingly provided something she needed? For me a beautiful affirmation in a challenging world.