When we keep claiming the light, we will find ourselves becoming more and more radiant. What fascinates me so much is that every time we decide to be grateful it will be easier to see new things to be grateful for. Gratitude begets gratitude, just as love begets love.” -Henri Nowen

Our plastic surgeries have officially ended. Now our patients will take some time to heal and eventually be discharged. Then the next set of general surgery and women’s health surgeries will begin.

Plastic surgeries here are special because the patients stay for an extended period of time for wound care and therapy. I have loved meeting my patients at the HOPE Center, taking care of them on the ship, and then going to visit them at the HOPE Center after they are discharged. It is an honor to witness each piece of their journey.

Our ward has no walls or doors separating patients… only a curtains that usually remain open anyway. In this tight space, our patients quickly form a family. One patient helps to feed her friend who just returned from surgery. An auntie of one patient helps translate for the physical therapist with another patient and encourages the little one through her exercises. Patients that have already had surgery warmly welcome new admissions and settle their anxiety. Toddlers play and men watch football and women laugh together.

We nurses weave through it all while we work. Our patients make us bracelets and tell us we are beautiful. They pull up a stool to invite us to just be with them. Our little ones look for an opportunity for attention and some time to play. Even though sometimes we have to ask our patients to do things that are unpleasant in order to heal… we rest in knowing that we are loved and appreciated.

One night the nurses gathered in a circle for our shift handover. As we sat down to regroup, several of our patients found a lap or happily squeezed inbetween us. After we went over the business of the day, we started our “thankful Thursday” tradition. Nearing the end of our plastic surgery season, we all knew we had a lot to be grateful for. As I looked around the circle at the faces of my coworkers and our beloved patients…

Radiant.

Our faces were radiant. We each shared what we were grateful for and found more reasons to be thankful. Our patients sat there listening intently even though they couldn’t understand exactly what we were saying. But they heard their names and saw our faces. As I watched them beam back at us, it was easy to see our hearts didn’t need a translator. They knew.

For a moment, we all sat happily in our thankfulness for each other. For all the healing we have experienced. For all the sorrow for we have shared. For all the laughter that bubbles up whenever we are together. For this beautiful time that will remain a light of hope and joy for each of us no matter where we go.