A picture can sometimes paint many words.

In the same way, sometimes words can come together and paint a picture...

There are a number of Steemians who are looking for a positive "leg-up" for the new year. This is a little something that keeps me going when the bananas are mushy (or the chips are down etc...)
Back in 2005 I worked with cancer patients. I can give no case scenarios except to say that one patient was young and had been to hell and back with his treatment, leaving an obvious scar. When I last spoke to him he had made it through to the other side - he was in full remission (not common considering his diagnosis).
As I tended to some last issues, he said to me:
"I used to hate this scar, but now I love it. It reminds me just how lucky I am to still be here. There is nothing like almost dying to make you appreciate every single day - I didn't appreciate it before, but I really understand what a gift it is now."
I was privileged to hear and share those words! There are many other patients over the years who have also blessed me with small pearls that have helped me to see what I have in a whole new light.
The very first shift I worked was a palliative shift, where a young boy was with his parents and I helped as he passed away. They were totally grateful, and I was in awe for what I had experienced (before this I was a bit of a selfish bitch and only thought of me!) As I finally left the hospital, the sun was shining, I finally lost a bit of my bitchiness and developed a respect for this profession (before that I wouldn't have given a stuff if I left) I also started to appreciate the life I have.
I read a quote recently on fb:

For this I reference quotesgram.com

I'm not going to blurk forward some amazing words of wisdom here to bring all of this together. I'm sure in your own minds you are already doing this and I don't want to spoil it. With my job I could smell the bed pans and feel the sore feet, or I might just hold on to the pearls like this that are given to me to hold. I might get upset at being woken at 3 AM by a little man who wants something, or I could remember how it felt for years being childless and honestly believing I couldn't have one at all. The list goes on...
There's a smile on my face - I share it with you...