One of my mentors sent this to me a few weeks ago and it was quite comforting. I hope this story provides you some comfort as well during this difficult time. It certainly makes me feel grateful to be part of this tremendous profession and maybe even part of humanity.
Warmly, Paula
Several years ago I read this excerpt from Ira Byock’s book , “The Best Care Possible: A Physician’s Quest to Transform Care Through the End of Life”. I tucked it away to re-read during times such as this….. hope it resonates with you.
“…Years ago, anthropologist Margaret Mead was asked by a student what she considered to be the first sign of civilization in a culture. The student expected Mead to talk about fishhooks or clay pots or grinding stones.
“But no. Mead said that the first sign of civilization in an ancient culture was a femur (thighbone) that had been broken and then healed. Mead explained that in the animal kingdom, if you break your leg, you die. You cannot run from danger, get to the river for a drink or hunt for food. You are meat for prowling beasts. No animal survives a broken leg long enough for the bone to heal.
“A broken femur that has healed is evidence that someone has taken time to stay with the one who fell, has bound up the wound, has carried the person to safety and has tended the person through recovery. Helping someone else through difficulty is where civilization starts, Mead said.”
