IT'S NATIONAL NURSES DAY - LOVE AND APPECIATE THEM.

Not sure when all these national (fill-in the blank) days became such a big thing,

but we usually find out about them as soon as we log onto our beloved social 

media accounts every day.

Cookies, tequilia, puppies, cars, legos - there seems to be a day for everything under

the sun. Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are always  flooded with these "national days" 

with corresponding photos.

"Hey, it's national puppy day! Here's a pic with me and my pup named Brody!"

"It's national beer day! Just look at this picture of me funneling down a half a case of

Budweiser! Aren't I cool?"

Believe it or not, there are actually 1,500 "national days"  according to guess who?
That's right, the National Day Calendar.

And yeah, these "national days" are cool in their own little way but most don't mean 

much and are forgotten in the amount of time it takes to scroll down to the next photo 

on the news feed or to click on  link to the story that blisters Trump for what he said,
how he acted and the business of his that failed 20 years ago.

May 6, 2020  means something. Actually, it means a lot. It's national nurses day,  

honoring the all-stars in hospitals, clinics, and medical offices that do so much for us.

It's sad in a way that it's taken this global pandemic to truly appreciate what all these

frontline workers do for others every single day. They are working double-shifts in just

horrific conditions to help others. They are putting their lives on the line to help in

saving the lives of people who are battling a faceless but brutal enemy that has put

this world on pause. 

In reality, this is what they do every single day on the job and the pressure is

always there. Make a mistake in your job and you'll probably get another chance.

If a nurse makes a mistake, it could be the end of another person's life.

Why has it taken so long to really appreciate the nurses who do so much? Maybe 

it's because when we or a loved one goes into a  hospital, we just want to be
relieved of our pain or the pain of a family member,  that we just become
oblivious to what's going on around us and all that the nurses are trying to do
for us. I get that.

Perhaps, it's like football where nurses are the offensive linemen who do all

the dirty work, making sacrifices while not seeking any credit for the job they

do. The doctors - the quarterbacks of the operation, always seem to get the 

glory and the spotlight every single day.

Let's face it. Nurses have to do some really gnarly stuff - drawing blood, wiping
things, cleaing bedpans, inserting enimas, etc., - it's not easy. They are not only
dealing with the  pain and emotions of you and your family, but the ones in the
next room and the ten rooms after that.

Then they have to come back and do it all over again the next day. Lather, rinse,
and repeat. Every single day. And then there is dealing with death which doesn't
get easier, no matter how many times you've seen it. It's an emotional toll that
few of us can relate to.

I realize  this is what nurses signed up for. It is part of their job. I get it. But
their jobs are far different than mine and yours. It's about life and death.

This is their day. Let's fully appreciate, honor, and respect them.