Today I felt a deep pit in my stomach. 

It swelled and grew, full of certainty and acceptance, 

with a side of sadness 

Every day I deal with people on the worst days of their lives, 

breaking bad news 

I hope I’m kind, 

and I hope my presence helps them walk through the mine field of uncertainty and despair.

I hope my words give comfort

But sometimes, I’m on the other side of the words,

A little too local for my liking

In one heartbeat, you hear the words you’ve been worrying about, 

Acknowledge you weren’t being silly, 

the symptoms were really there. 

Your pain tolerance is just fine, but something else wasn’t. 

Feeling that sinking feeling in my gut, 

I thought about everyone I’ve given bad news, 

And I’m grateful it wasn’t worse,

That I know now, that I can do something, that I have answers and a plan. 

I’ve never been on this side, and the ground feels weird,

But I’ll keep on walking