Every day

A few years ago I had a patient say to me, "Every day that you wake up is a miracle."

Today was a hard day for me to agree with that statement. But I had a patient who was scared and asked me if he was ok and I didn't know how to say, "You're ok for now. But you have cancer and you're dying and you had a stroke and are at risk to have more and it looks like you might have a blockage in your heart." I didn't know how to say that to a developmentally delayed man without depressing him or terrifying him.

And so I remembered my patient who said those words and I told him, "Every day that we wake up is a miracle."

And he smiled at me and said "So I'm lucky to be alive?"

"Yes, my friend. We all are."

It didn't really answer his question, I know. But he understood. And now after thinking back on the day, I understand too.

Even when your days are difficult and you wish you could stick your head in a hole and pretend the world doesn't exist- you're alive. You woke up today for a reason. Make it count.

-M🐦