Do you know what I can’t stop thinking about? The nurse I spoke to on the phone yesterday that – a bit rude with her tone, to be honest – asked me if my son “was there” when I explained it was hard to tell if his eye is itchy because he tends to touch them frequently.

It is obvious to me this nurse didn’t bother to take a quick peek at his chart before talking with me, and this was the third time I spoke with her. Maybe it isn’t customary – maybe there isn’t enough time in the day? – but if you aren’t going to look for the big things in my son’s medical chart, maybe take a pause and think about why I’m wording things the way I am. Assume competence in me, too.

I calmly explained that he is non-speaking and doesn’t yet have a way to tell me things like this. So she sent the prescription in for us. And I haven’t been able to get the conversation out of my head since.

“Well – is he there?!”

Sometimes, it doesn’t take much to cause another tiny crack in my mama’s heart. Patience and kindness sure can go a long way.