So many things to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving Day. Family, friends, career, health, our one nation under God, dogs, food, laughter, and love. I realize I am blessed and I hope you are feeling that way too.

Some people are struggling today; just like they did yesterday, and they will do so again tomorrow. Holidays, especially ones centered around being thankful, don’t mean a whole lot, except to remind them that their suffering is real.

As a nurse I have had the privilege to work in the hospital on holidays. I usually work the night shift. On any given day the night shift is special, people who need you the most are awake, you can spend more time with them than during the day when it is all hustle and bustle. Holidays in the hospital are even more special.

Nobody wants to be in the hospital (unless you are having a baby), and that includes the staff some days. So when a holiday rolls around and patients have to be in the hospital it is really hard on them. I have found that patients are really very grateful for care when they realize that you are there taking care of them and not at home with your family.

My favorite working a holiday memories are actually about the holiday Eve. Some of the sweetest moments happen in the very middle of the night. The lighting is soft, the voices are low, and the need is high. People are lonely, hurting, scared, and want to be anywhere but there. It is during these times that real connections are made. Wishing someone a happy Thanksgiving after midnight, can hit as insincere except when coming from a nurse waking you up to take your blood pressure because she is stuck in the same situation that you are in. Those moments are when families, loved ones, pets, wishes, dreams, fears, and desires are discussed. It is when people open up about what they are thankful for and maybe realize just a little bit more that the mundane is really the spectacular.

Working the holidays is not always easy, especially with young children at home. Some people have families that don’t understand that they will have to work their share of holidays and that can add stress to the situation. After all, a hospital is 24/7. We are always open. But when you look beyond your not wanting to be working on a holiday when the rest of the world has the day off, you can see how precious it can be. You can see things you really have to be thankful for, you can bless someone else and in turn you can come away blessed beyond any normal day.

May you find at least one thing to be thankful for today. Whether you are blessing or being blessed, may your day be one to cherish. Whether you are alone, with loved ones, or working with strangers, may your hands and heart find good work to do. Being thankful that you are alive, that you are here, is the beginning.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It is also the beginning of a truly special season of celebrating. Even in the hospital you can feel the energy shift as the obvious outward signs start to show up: trees, lights, decorations of all kinds, boxes of candy start to show up, secret Santa, tacky earrings and flashy socks. People are nicer. Joy is more joyous. Laughter fills the air and hallways. So take heart, if you have to work the holidays, make time to notice the specialness of it all. Remember that your patients don’t want to be here and maybe, just maybe, you will be what makes them thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Yogi in Scrubs. May you find many things to light up your nurse’s soul.