Every day, I go about my business,

walking a fine line

between trying to stay out

of other peoples business,

and needing to know all their details.

Every day,

I have the privilege

the responsibility

of being trusted with private information,

The inner world that sometimes

hasn’t been shared with anyone else.

I’ve held the hand of someone

as they took their final breath,

watching as the light faded

their eyes clouded over,

hearing the sound of freedom

as their soul left their tired body behind.

I’ve felt the warm wetness of a newborn

taking their first breath,

the shock of entrance to this cruel world

stunning and sharp

I’ve cried

when someone received the worst news

of their life,

been the one

To give them the news,

in a halting, awkward voice.

The invisible worlds,

the unique paths we tread,

I’ve reached out and touched them all

Gossamer threads

connect each of us to another.

I can never know exactly

what someone else is feeling,

But sometimes,

the emotions are so overwhelming

they stick,

And I experience a fraction of another’s world

I am honoured

to walk beside people when they need me

I hope they can feel

how much I care

in those shared moments