One of the toughest emotions to deal with is a sense of lost vitality. I witness this emotion when working with sick patients and their families. We all must individually confront this question through the arc of life at some point. While walking along the beach (quickly, it was cold!), I noticed a single tree stump which may offer a thought for us in such moments:
Stump By The Sea:
Been a long time
Since sap flowed through my veins
Since I fed vibrant leaves
Since I showed off my perfect bark
People don’t look at me
Like they used to
When I was alive
But I’m still here-not dead
I have a great view
Of my friend the ocean
Who swims right up to me daily
My other friend, the sun
Still flashes that amazing smile each morning
So maybe I am more fragile
Than I once was
But I am surrounded by beauty
And so, somehow, stronger.
Acting Doctor 