Amanda Turner Russell, a labor and delivery nurse at my former hospital, a shining light in so many ways, was declared brain dead of head trauma and spinal chord injury caused by a motorist while she was engaged in one of her passions, training for the next charity run in the Boston Marathon.
In typical Amanda fashion her last wish was to help others. Tomorrow lots of people will be getting another chance at life and a little piece of Amanda will live on.
All who knew Amanda were struck by her good nature and generosity. She inspired her colleagues to take on new challenges, to develop personally and professionally. She was a loyal friend. Working in the most optimistic part of our hospital, she saw and delivered joy. She presented it--almost daily--to the rest of us in the form of a sunrise photograph (that she would label #bidmcsunrise) taken across Boston from the L&D floor. I'd wake up early, and it was already posted, a gift to start my day. Sometimes, I'd send her a note, but mainly I just enjoyed her view of the world. Here's one:
Now, dozens of friends on Facebook are acknowledging her life with #sunrisesforamanda posts, our own sunrise pictures. Here's mine, from an early morning fishing trip in Cape Cod Bay.
A truly good person, who will be missed by thousands. Condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues.
6 comments:
Please know that our thoughts are with you and all of Amanda's family and friends
My deepest condolences. I have been in running/triathlons/swimming for years, off/on. It is a great sorrow to hear when things like this happen. We in the exercise community share your sorrow and send warm thoughts to the family.
So sorry to learn that. Although I did not know her, I have had 50 years of working with L&D nurses. Even married one. They are special people and Amanda sounds like she is at the top. Thanks for sharing.
Nice tribute Paul. "The boundaries which divide life from death are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall say where the one ends, and where the other begins?" -Edgar Allan Poe
Tragic! Did someone set up a legitimate fund raising page for her kids! Love to support.
See the end of this article for a story on that: http://www.patriotledger.com/news/20151230/hanover-hospital-nurse-mourned-as-a-shining-light
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