Florence Nightingale’s Visit

“It’s the lady with the lamp,” breathed the soldier as he lay on his bed in the dirty hospital in Turkey.

“I can see her,” whispered the soldier next to him. “I hope she gets to us very soon. My leg hurts so badly.”

“They say she was born on May 12, 1820, to British parents as they were traveling in Italy. They were very rich, you know. I think they named her after the city of Florence, because she is so beautiful. Just like that city.”

“Yeah, I heard that, too. Did you know that her parents told her she couldn’t be a nurse? She chose to do it anyway. She gathered up a bunch of nursing friends and came over here to Turkey to help us in the Crimean War.”

“They say she is amazing. She hasn’t married so far. I think she never will. The hospitals have gotten cleaner since she arrived, but the male doctors seem to be pretty upset that she is here to help.”

“Well, I don’t know about you, but I am glad she is here. Florence is beautiful. Look! She’s headed this way.”

“I’m tired, I’ll just rest my eyes and wait for her to arrive. Although it is late, she’ll make it to us tonight.”