Edward Berry

When Edward Berry was admitted to Baptist Health La Grange with COVID-19, it was the start of a frightening journey. Escalating symptoms landed him in the Intensive Care Unit, where he encountered Nurse Manager Tiffany Payton — one of many health care providers for whom he is grateful.

“I’ll never forget her many acts of love and courage to minister care to me in the ICU when she and her nursing staff were literally putting their lives on the line to help me,” he said.

Edward tries not to miss an opportunity to express his gratitude each day, whether that’s through something as simple as a smile, hug, handshake or kind words. “I feel that gratitude can transform a community,” he said. “When we take action to express and show our appreciation to others, it is a powerful force.”

He also believes gratitude was an important part of his healing, recovery and now restoration, saying: “I have so much to be grateful for, and I want to grow in the grace of gratitude each day.”

And though Edward is grateful for many aspects of life, he is most thankful that “God’s generous grace” has allowed him more time on earth to fulfill His purpose. “God created us for community, and without it we miss out on the richness of life and the sustaining strength that God has made available in the Body of Christ.”

Gratitude can transform a community. When we take action to express and show our appreciation to others, it is a powerful force.