The Way You Do One Thing...

This Halloween, I found myself tagging along with Thing 1, Thing 2, and Thing 3 — a.k.a. my youngest and her friends. They were decked out in full Cat in the Hat regalia, complete with bright blue wigs and plenty of energy. It was chaotic, fun, and very on brand for this season of life.

As far as our high schooler? Let’s just say her costume choice reminded me that we’ve officially crossed into the “we’re not talking about it” era of parenting. If you know, you know.  

Amid the whirlwind of costumes and candy, something else stuck with me this week. A family tagged us in a heartfelt post on social media. Their baby was born prematurely and spent 188 days across three hospitals, including GBMC. A 25-weeker. One surgery. Four ambulance rides. Nearly 18,000 miles traveled. And then finally, after half a year of tiny victories and hard days, they got to carry him through their own front door. Their message was beautiful and humbling.

“The best nurses, doctors, respiratory therapists, and staff anyone could ever ask for… an unbelievable support system… and one absolutely amazing miracle.”

This family’s words say so much. They paint a picture of strength, resilience, and the kind of care that truly changes lives.

There’s a quote I love: “The way you do one thing is the way you do everything.”

If you stock a supply closet with care or sit with a worried parent just a few minutes longer, or check and double-check a medication dose before delivering it ... those “small” things are anything but. They’re evidence of a culture built on clinical excellence and human moments – going the extra mile to make a scary time just the tiniest bit less stressful. And eventually, they become part of the story a family tells when they finally get to say, “He’s home.”

I’m proud (so incredibly proud) of the role GBMC played in that story and of the team that showed up, day after day, to care for this baby and his family. This week, I just want to say thank you to all involved. For doing the little things, for believing in miracles, and for proving, time and again, that this is a place where people find health, healing, and hope.

Welcome home, to this little baby. And happy (slightly belated) Halloween to the rest of you.