I went right back to thinking of the lady in the grocery store that was happy, just happy being who she was and sharing her happiness in whatever way feasible. It doesn't take dollars or shiny cars or fancy clothes, it doesn't take toys and gimics, it takes your heart and that is what my conference would be, all about heart and how many ways to implement it. Sitting with a patient and holding their hand is truly a privilege for me. Listening to their concerns or making them laugh, is sharing my heart. I don't have platitudes that will help anything anyhow. Telling the person they are tough and can make it may only put a little layer of icing on the cake and may even turn the patient away from you as you aren't really listening with your ears. The awkward silent moments may in fact be the most therapeutic. You can't fix what I am going through but you can listen. I don't want sympathy not now, not then and not in the future. I want genuine caring and appreciation for my patients and myself. I am not sure that my new friend was a church goer but she was one of the most faithful servants I have met in a long time.
My ideal conference, yup you got it. It is acceptance and love because no matter what I read or learn, I always need to be reminded and relearn that this is what is