I Need To...

Last night I worked. It was a 'slow' night at the hospital. My bunch of patients slept most the night. There was one patient who made me so thankful for what I have. He was confused and scared and in his words wanted to "Get the hell out of the hospital!" He is a cancer survivor, but his fight for life may have just started because the doctors feel it is back and has spread. Sometimes it's hard not to get frustrated with patients who are confused and combative. When this happens I take a step back, try to put myself in their shoes, and take a deep breath. My heart softens, my compassion comes back, and my frustration leaves. This particular patient has helped me to be thankful for my health, the health of my family, and the health of my friends. Working as a nurse has taught me that I never know when I am going to become ill or when my time will be up...so I need to live my life to the fullest right now while I still have the chance. I need to take that trip to New York, I need to run that marathon, I need to get that waffle cone of prailines and cream, I need to take my mom to Europe and dad to Alaska, I need a sister weekend at the spa with Kasey, I need to enjoy a new hair style, I need to buy the Louis Vuitton bag. Big or small, I need to do these things because sooner or later my time will be up and I don't want to look back and say I should have...