Several years ago I hired a remarkable young man. He’d completed a rigorous drug rehab program and afterward managed to convince the Louisiana Board of Nursing to allow him progress into clinical courses despite a history of drug use. He was concurrently monitored by the impaired nurse program and passed many random drug tests. He was required to attend regular Narcotics Anonymous Meetings and was given no assurance of licensure upon successful completion of all these requirements. He soldiered successfully through all this and was licensed.

I was fortunate enough to hire Bob in my acute dialysis unit. An excellent nurse, he was a quick learner and valuable staff member. In addition to nursing, he had a passion for music and was deeply involved in his church’s music ministry. I was fortunate to have him on my staff for a couple of years. I asked him how he was able to resist the lure of drugs. He told me he’d traded drugs for the high of music. I really learned a lot from him.

Some time later, my husband and I ran into Bob at a music store. I was so happy to see him, I hugged him tightly and kept my arm around him for a bit. He was clearly uncomfortable and kept looking at Bud. It had never occurred to me that a young black man might be uncomfortable being hugged by an older white woman accompanied by her husband. Of course, I introduced them and told Bob, Bud knew how much I thought of his work and accomplishments. I am so grateful to have known Bob.