stronger.

There's not much that brings me to tears.

I am talking those instantaneous alligator tears that some people are so good at.

They just don't happen for me.

Except for the times when I'm proud.

Like when Hadley does something brave.

Or when Ryan finishes a marathon.

Or when I see the strength and tenacity and resilience of kids.

Especially sick kids.

They blow me away.

They make me lose my words.

They make my vision blurry.
They make it hard for me to swallow.

They humble me.

And they fill me with pride.

Whenever I am asked what I do for a living, I always hesitate...

saying you're a nurse in a children's ICU is usually an uncomfortable topic.

I always hear 'Oh geeze, I could never do that.'

'Is it sad?'

'How do you do that?'

'Do kids die?'

'I like kids too much to do that.'

(this one I love).

I try to avoid work conversations at all costs (even with my own husband).

I never have a good answer.  I never have an answer people could quite understand.  I can never explain how it is actually just the opposite of what they think.

And then I see something like this and I think...

This is why.

Because how in the world could I ever dream of doing anything else???

When I walk through that Giraffe Entrance tomorrow morning my head will be held a little bit higher.

Because the people and kids I get to work with fill me with so much pride I feel as if I might explode.

And I promise, I will try not to cry.

(Thanks Heidi B. for the video...and the tears.

Thanks Hem-Onc nurses for being so cool.

And thanks Children's Hospital for being in our backyard).