Passage 2 

One hot summer day, a young couple and their four-year-old daughter Emily were on their way to the mountains for a few weeks’ vacation. Suddenly, a truck in the oncoming lane collided head-on with the family’s car. The three of them were seriously injured and immediately taken to the nearest hospital, where Emily was brought to the children’s ward and her parents were taken to the intensive care unit. As could well be imagined, Emily was not only in great pain, but she was also very frightened because her parents were not nearby to give her comfort. 

Martha, the nurse who was assigned to Emily, was a single, middle-aged woman. She understood Emily’s feelings of fear and insecurity and became very devoted to her. When Martha finished her shift, instead of going home, she would volunteer to stay with Emily at night. Emily grew very fond of her and depended on her for her every need.Martha brought her cookies, picture books and toys. She sang songs to her and told her countless stories.