Ashley Grumbine, NICU Nurse
Northwestern Prentice Women’s Hospital
Nominated by Heather Boyer

“My beautiful son, Matthew Boyer was born at 28-3/7 weeks pre-mature. To say I was terrified from the moment I went into labor would be the biggest understatement of my life. But, to explain the fear I felt from the moment he was born is something I could never and can still never put into words. I remember those first few days in the NICU watching all these sick babies with their primary nurses and fearing that no one would ever sign up for Matthew. And then, out of nowhere, in the darkest hours of my life, there was Ashley…this breath of fresh air, this unbelievable positive angel who had unwavering faith and hope in my teeny, tiny baby.

She was this bright light that refuses to go out, that refused to let us give up, give in or fall apart. Every night when I was home, I would call to check on Matthew and pray that Ashley was working. When she answered the phone, I felt like my broken heart could rest and mend a tiny bit because I knew she was giving him all the love in the world. There were many nights in his 13 month stay when he was so sick that he had to sleep upright and she would hold him the entire night because she knew he needed it. She made signs all over his crib and room that said B+ for “Be Positive”. She called it Matthew’s BE POSITIVE ZONE. She refused to let anyone give up on him and she told me to write B+ everywhere so when I was sad, or scared or desperate, it would help lift me up….and it did. I had B+ signs everywhere…in my wallet, on my mirror, in my office, all over our house, everywhere and when I felt like I couldn’t go on for one more second, there was a B+ sign reminding me that someone far more important needed me to keep it together and never lose hope.

I could not imagine those 13 months without her. I guarantee we would not have made it through it without her. She is truly the most beautiful soul in the world with the biggest heart. She just texted me the other day to tell me what an honor it was to care for Matthew and that she still thinks of him all the time…even more now that she is a mom herself. She constantly comments on all of my Facebook pictures of Matthew. Even now, 8 years later….she is watching over him, holding firm in her unwavering faith in him and cheering him on in the BE POSITIVE ZONE she created. We truly love her! She is the reason the Owl award was created and we pray that you honor her this year with this award.”