“Being hit by a car traveling 35mph is equivalent to jumping off a third story building head first.” — Physics 101.
In 1972, I was broadsided by a Marathon taxicab speeding at an estimated 70mph. Pictured is Christine, the Bellevue ER nurse who was instrumental in saving my life. She attended to me for days, even after I was transferred to New York University Hospital’s intensive care unit. I’ve carried her in my heart ever since. For decades I tried in vain to find her, but no source could provide me with her surname.
Last week, while discarding thousands of 35mm slides accumulated over the past 49 years, I inadvertently came across one I must have snapped from my hospital bed while still heavily sedated. After having the slide printed, I enlarged it until I could read her name tag.
Christine Marie Tekverk, R.N., was born in New York City on April 2, 1947. She spent her entire adult life as a nurse. Her last position was at St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center in Roslyn, NY where she supervised cardio recovery. So praised and beloved by her patients, her photo was featured on the cover of The American Journal of Nursing following her death from cancer on August 27, 1994. She was 47.
This is National Nurse Month.
If you’ve encountered even one nurse in your life, take time to honor her.
It can never be too soon.
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Marguerite Quantaine is an essayist and novelistwho values your opinion and appreciatesyou for sharing this with others.
Her books may be found on Amazon and in bookstores nationwide.
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M A G P I E à la modus operandi 
My name is Caitlin, and Christine was my beloved aunt and God Mother. I was 10 years old when she passed, and my daughter, now 14, is named after her. I was google-ing our rare family name and came across your essay. My family and I are so touched that you have remembered her, we thank you for these kind words and the picture!!
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You cannot imagine how wonderful it felt for me to receive your note. For years I searched for the name Tekverk in hopes of connecting with a member of her family. I once (or twice) wrote to a woman at a Locust Valley and Glen Cove address that I thought might be Christine’s sister, but I never received a reply. Your aunt and godmother saved my life. She’s mentioned on page 127-128 of my book, Seriously, Mom, you didn’t know?‘, has been honored on my Facebook feed, and I’ve spoken her name every day when I bless the souls and the spirits of 8 people who were instrumental in my being here, still. If you’d like I will send you a print of the photograph published here. Just tell me where. Thank you for finding me, Caitlin. You’ve made me very happy, indeed. You’ve done your aunt Christine proud.
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Very touching — thank you, Marguerite! So sorry I’m late in responding.
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