An encounter with a patient last seen 6 years previously reminds the author that there's no escaping grief. It always catches up with us.

The author reflects that no matter how many times he has examined a child who has been abused, the experience doesn't get any easier.

The author reflects on just how much he has left to learn about how a disease can impact the lives of those who suffer from it.

A teen-age patient presents with fatigue and malaise. Her vague symptoms do not lead to a diagnosis, but the poem gleaned from her care is a treasured gift.

The author reflects on how deceiving outward appearances can be after watching the interaction between a little girl and her disfigured parent.

I take another sip of coffee and recall the words of yesterday's e-mail: "My father will be having heart surgery tomorrow morning to replace a damaged aortic valve and repair the mitral valve."

"There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge is love."

"After the man told me his story, I sensed that he felt better. He needed to have someone listen."

Nearly 3 decades ago, when I first stepped out into the field of clinical practice, the science of medicine was top priority.Like most PA students from that era, I spent the greater part of 2 years struggling to learn human anatomy and physiology, physical diagnosis, pathophysiology of disease, laboratory medicine, diagnostic radiology, and pharmacologic treatment.