The view from here
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The iPhone alarm bleats at 6 AM.
I would surely awaken without it.
Shower, shave, and the uniform goes on.
Brown khakis, blue shirt, now with the “I really don’t care” hiking shoes on my feet instead of loafers.
The familiar coffee pot gurgling as the shower warms up.
I’m aware of the soothing nature of this routine.
There is beauty in the simplicity.
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I walk through the door to some smiles and a little chatter.
A few sets of eyes show that the smile is genuine.
A food allergy alert on the door.
A clue about the team I will be with today.
There is beauty in caring and community.
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A few patients that don’t need me, but want me.
Problems that are already solved.
Some the primary doctor can manage.
Some feel seen by the doctor who listened to them,
who spoke to them in their native Spanish,
who showed respect to their concerns.
And they follow up to show just how well she’s doing.
There is beauty in caring and humanity.
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A baby of almost one year.
A very difficult diagnosis.
Painful years ahead.
Fear in an 11-month-old’s eyes,
just from seeing another white coat.
Of course, I haven’t worn a white coat since medical school.
Slowing the day to really hear a beautiful young couple.
Feeling impotent in my inability to change their course.
There is beauty in caring and holding.
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A morning of TikTok reels about the length of medical school,
the cost of years of training,
sacrifices in one’s life,
and the inability to change the path once started.
There is beauty in making the right choice,
the choice that put me right here.