Life is good

The Quiet Work of Caring” 

— Dr. Tony Leachon

It’s a beautiful Saturday morning. The sun filters gently through the trees, the koi pond ripples with life, and the flowers bloom as if to remind us: nature heals.

I arrived late last night, burning the midnight oil. Sleep was scarce, but the heart was full. Before heading to hospital rounds, I brewed my black coffee and hopped on the treadmill—200 calories, a small act of self-care.

Simmy and family went off to meet baby Millie, a new joy in our growing family. I smiled at the thought of Marge’s sister’s roots, and missed little Lily bear, whose laughter echoes even across continents.

Around the house, I found peace in the quiet—trees swaying, koi swimming, the world breathing. But last night’s long conversation with patients lingered. Difficult cases. Funding issues. Families on the edge.

In moments like these, I’m reminded by Maya Angelou that “ People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. “ 

Patients don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. The secret of the care of the patient is in caring for the patient.

Charles Dickens once wrote:

“Have a heart that never hardens, a temper that never tires, a touch that never hurts.”

To truly improve the patient experience, we must understand the patient journey—from the patient’s perspective.

This weekend, I catch up not just on sleep, but on gratitude. On presence. On the quiet work of caring.

Life is good. And in these challenging times, hope is the last one to go.

#RelentlessForChange 

Tony Leachon