“Find out who you are…..”

Hello All,

I don’t know if you have seen this picture, but if you have not, please look it up online. I tear up every time I see it.  On Thanksgiving Day, a photographer captured Dr. Joseph Varon, completely dressed in his personal protective equipment, embracing and comforting his elderly patient in the Covid-19 ICU at United Memorial Medical Center in Houston. Dr. Varon is the chief of staff at the hospital. At that time, it was his 252nd day at work! He told Good Morning America: “He (the patient) was very sad because he’s in a room where he knows nobody. We come in dressed like astronauts, and even though I usually have my picture with me so they know who I am when I go to see them, it’s very frustrating for the patients, and he was very emotional. And when I heard (his emotion), I hugged him.” That is the kind of physician I want taking care of me. Committed, compassionate, dedicated. And he is not alone – he is one of the incredible healthcare workers giving their all during this terrible pandemic. We owe them all so much! To thank them and to help ease their burdens – wear a mask, socially distance, wash your hands!

I love this quote from the incredible Dolly Parton – “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” I think Dr. Varon found out who he is and delivers his care on purpose. I have thought about this quote a lot. I know I have interpreted it to be a good nurse, a good leader, a good wife,  a good friend, a good sister, a good aunt, a good “mom”, and lately a good daughter-in-law and a good daughter. But the power of the picture of Dr. Varon and the power of Dolly’s comment have made me rethink this; I think Dolly meant something much broader. I want to be a good human. I want to be compassionate and caring. I want to be open-minded. I want to embrace our diversities. I want to make a difference. I want to celebrate life on even the wildest and strangest days. And I want to do it all on purpose. My Christmas wish for myself.

Let me end on what I truly believe is a hopeful note for all of us. On December 21st – the winter solstice, the day with the fewest hours of daylight – about 45 minutes after sunset (which Bob researched and told me to share that sunset is at 4:53 p.m.) in the Southwest portion of the sky, we will be able to witness something that has not been seen in 800 years! On that night “Jupiter and Saturn are lining up to create an incredible bright star of wonder, or what is known as the ‘Christmas Star’ or ‘Star of Bethlehem’. These two planets haven’t appeared this (relatively) close together from Earth’s vantage point since the Middle Ages.” Patrick Hartigan, astronomer at Rice University, told Forbes magazine: “Alignments between these two planets are rather rare, occurring once every twenty years or so, but this conjunction is exceptionally rare because of how close the planets will appear to be to one another. You’d have to go back to March 4, 1226 to see a closer alignment between these objects visible in the night sky.” The next time this will happen?  The year 2080!

I am taking this as a sign that the dark times are ending – that we are headed into the light – that good times are on their way – that we will embrace being human and caring for one another. That we rediscover who we are, what good we can do…..and we do it all on purpose.

Phyl