Nurses have a challenging role; they not only administer medications, follow doctors’ orders, respond to call bells, and occasionally serve meals, but they also take on the role of therapists. They provide encouragement, offer hope, and sometimes just lend a listening ear.
Brandalyn Mae Porter is a nurse at a retirement home in Texas, and she undoubtedly makes a significant difference in the lives of her residents. Her straightforward and approachable manner helps put the residents at ease. Recently, Brandalyn captured a heartfelt photo of one resident’s hands, and it has quickly gained popularity online.
She was at her job assisting a resident with their washing routine when she inquired if they would like their nails painted.
Here’s her account of that day
Today I painted a new resident’s nails at work and as we were going over colors, she mentioned she wanted clear. The only thought that came to my mind was ‘CLEAR?! That’s no fun.’ I asked her why she wanted clear and she said, ‘My hands are ugly, I don’t want to draw attention to them.’
“I then carefully responded with, ‘Your hands tell the story of your life. They tell the story of love, of care and adventure. These hands have touched and held things that most people can only wish to one day.’ And with that, she went with the color pink for her nails.
Sometimes what we are so insecure with, others find beauty in.“
Brandalyn’s uplifting words ultimately inspired the woman to paint her nails, not just for their beauty, but for the stories they told about her life experiences.
Throughout the day, she could proudly display her lovely manicure, sharing the many tales her hands had to offer.
Brandalyn, along with all healthcare professionals, truly deserves appreciation for the vital contributions they make to our healthcare system. It’s individuals like Brandalyn who help make the world a better place.
