A tradition of love honored by compassionate care

Three years ago, Adriane lost her beloved mother, Bobbie, to ALS. Bobbie was more than a mother—she was Adriane’s best friend, a joyful soul with a sharp sense of humor and a talent for cooking that brought warmth to every gathering. When Bobbie was diagnosed, her one wish was for Adriane to care for her. Adriane didn’t hesitate—she left her job and moved in, spending the final five months of her mother’s life by her side. “It was an honor,” Adriane says.

Since her passing, Adriane has kept a deeply personal tradition: releasing blue balloons—her mother’s favorite color—on the anniversary of her death, accompanied by a few words spoken in remembrance. But this year, Adriane found herself in the hospital at AdventHealth Avista, feeling like she wouldn’t be able to honor her tradition. “I didn’t think anyone would care,” she shared.

But three medical/surgical team members did.

On her day off, Rikki Nye purchased the blue balloons. “The anniversary of her mother's death was the day after my sister’s, so I understood what remembering her mother meant,” said Rikki. “I also understood, as I used to release a balloon for my dad for several years after he passed. I believe that going to get balloons for someone to release to honor a loved one is the least I can do to help them deal with the loss.”

On the anniversary itself, Adriane’s RN Eva Raphael and CNA Nalleli ‘Jelly’ Bazan carefully took her outside. Together, they released the balloons into the sky, standing with Adriane as she spoke words of love and appreciation for her mother.

It was a moment of profound care—not just for Adriane’s physical health, but for her heart and spirit. “They showed me they cared,” Adriane said. “It made me feel so much better.”

“Seeing our patient's face light up as she released balloons for her mother's anniversary was truly inspiring,” said Jelly. “It was a bittersweet moment, filled with happiness and nostalgia. As a caregiver, it touched my heart to be part of this special moment, and I'm thankful we could make it unforgettable for her.”

Her hospital stay was filled with meaningful coincidences that felt like signs from her mother. Her ER nurse’s name was Bobbie. A black and yellow butterfly—her mom’s favorite—appeared outside her window. A co-worker brought her yellow roses and lilies, also her mom’s favorites, without knowing their significance. Adriane believes these are gentle reminders that her mother is still watching over her.

For Rikki, supporting patients in such meaningful ways is part of what makes her work so special. “Managing their care is one thing, but to be able to make a difference on a personal level unrelated to the plan of care is really special,” she said. “Moments like these make the day-to-day responsibilities easier to deal with. They remind me why I do what I do. I think all of us at Avista truly care about not only our patient's health but who they are as people. We treat them as a whole person, not just a diagnosis.”

This story is a beautiful testament to the AdventHealth Avista team’s commitment to caring for the whole person. In honoring Adriane’s tradition, Rikki, Eva, and Jelly gave her more than a moment—they gave her connection, comfort, and the reminder that love endures.