Balancing Optimism and Empathy: Lessons from a Granddaughter and Future Physician

We are fortunate to have a close-knit family, spending every holiday in the same living room, going on annual summer vacations, or camping together. My grandparents had four children and many grandchildren, so we always had big gatherings at their house growing up. Earlier this year, I spent the last few days of my grandpa’s life with him and our family in the hospital. It was fitting that, in his last days, we managed to fill that small ICU room with many family members, laughing and reminiscing on all our wonderful memories. My grandpa loved football, so we also watched the Chiefs win, again, securing their place in Super Bowl 59. I am so grateful to the nurses and hospital staff that let us all be together in those moments, overlooking the ICU rule of only two visitors at a time.