Today I'm thankful that I could be a part of a dying man’s last days. The greatest honor. That I could hug his wife. That I could make his transition with the least pain possible. That I got him on his last day on the unit. That I wrote him a letter yesterday, and his first words were to me this morning, “hey you wrote me a letter,” with tears in his eyes. That he specifically looked me in the eyes before he left the unit and reached for my hand. That I bonded with Dr. Young again over this and that we looked at each other when the patient left with tears welling up in our eyes….nodded… And walked opposite directions… And that we texted each other about mutual respect and thanks later this evening. It is an interesting thing to experience and to share. I don't know. Internal talk. What I jotted down just after he left the unit:

I've got your blood on my scrubs 

Sweet man
You are dying today
Sweet man
I've taken care of You
I somehow didn't want to say anything 
unless it was important today
Sweet man
I gave my days to you
Just a little of my life
And I'd give you more
If I could
Sweet man
I've got your blood on me
I'll smell you all day
And I'll wash you off of me
Tonight. 

But you will never be dead to me
Sweet man

You are dying today