Thankful

“Give thanks for blessings every day. Every day. Embrace gratitude. Encourage others. It’s impossible to be grateful and hateful at the same time.”

Denzel Washington

This year has been a whirlwind to say the least and I can’t believe that it’s now December. Next week we will be talking about planning our 4^th years and I can only imagine the existential dread that will be filling our lecture hall. Where has the time gone? I’m grateful this Thanksgiving weekend to be healthy. I’m thankful that I have a faith and support system that see me through both the good times and the bad. This week, I had the chance to relax, recharge and think about the many blessings in my life. I thought I would share just a few with you.

1. My family- You are my rocks. I am where I am today because of you. You’re my biggest cheerleaders and my voices of reason. You keep me grounded, humble and your constant support means more than I could ever say. You remind me that I’m stronger than I think and that I can accomplish whatever I set my mind to. I probably call way more than I should, but you put up with me anyway because you love me and those are the rules! I promise all I want is to let you know I’m doing fine and share the cool stuff I get to do, plus then I can make sure everyone at home is okay too. We’ve had enough excitement for five lifetimes these past few years that’s for sure. I love you bunches and can’t wait to be home for Christmas!
2. My friends- You make this crazy thing called life so much fun. Whether we met just a few months ago or have known each other ten years, it’s so nice to know I have people who will always have my back. I hope you know I would do the same for you in a heartbeat! To my friends from home, thank you for reminding me that I have other interests than medicine. It’s so refreshing to take off the medical student hat sometimes and just be a person. Even when we don’t see each other for months or even years, we always seem to pick up right where we left off. That’s so rare. I don’t want to ever lose that. To my friends from medical school, there are no words to describe what it means having friends who are down in the trenches with you. It’s so reassuring having people by your side who understand exactly what you’re going through, who have shared the same struggles, triumphs and fears. Your witty humor and quirky personalities make these long weeks so much fun, but it’s your kindness and genuineness that I treasure most of all. I can’t wait to see what great things we are going to do. Don’t ever change!
3. My mentors- I would not be who I am today without the people who have helped me along the way. Your encouraging words, thoughtfulness including me in projects, commitment to giving students a seat at the table, and guidance navigating the often-hidden path of developing a career in medicine make such a difference. You probably see these things as just part of your routine. Trust me, I’ve lived for 27 years with a mother who has made a tremendous impact in early childhood education, but to her she’s just doing her job. Believe me when I say that all you do for us means so much more than you think. While I’m grateful for those who take time to teach about topics we’ve encountered, I learn just as much seeing you effectively lead the team and advocate for your patients. When you admit that you’re human and have room to grow, you show that learning new things is never below us. Seeing you balance family, work and other passions shows us we can have a full and rewarding life apart from medicine. One day, I will be entrusted to lead a team. If I can put into practice even half of what you’ve taught me, I just might be okay. Until then, I will strive to be the best student I can.

Tomorrow I begin three weeks on the pediatric hospitalist team. Let the countdown to Christmas begin.