By Dr. Sara Ahronheim, Emergency Physician, Montreal
She sits in her car at the end of the day
Lets the music play
Closes her eyes
Rubs her temples
Leans back into the seat heater
Turns off the music
Sits in silence
Lets the day wash over her
Lets the day move out of her.
She steps out of her car at the end of the day
Makes her way inside
Partner, pet, kids or silence greet her
The shower beckons
Quickly she strips off her outer layers
Tosses them in the hamper
Steps into the steam
Lets the hot water wash over her
Lets the day wash off of her.
She steps out of her car at the start of her day
In the locker room she changes
Hospital scrubs replace leggings
Stylish boots become well worn sneakers
Up goes her hair
On goes the ID card she’s had for years
Pockets full, stethoscope on
She lets one deep breath fill her lungs
Lets the day move into her
Lets space for patients open in her.
Woman Physician, I see you
You are me, I am you
We breathe together
We struggle together
We take on the world
We make space for our patients
While we try constantly to make space for ourselves.
Not long ago
Women Physicians like us were rare
Now we are everywhere
Yet still we find ourselves fighting
Pushing ourselves to work harder
Speak louder
Find allies
Echo each other at meetings
Make excuses
Feel vulnerable
Feel disappointed
Feel weak
When we should feel empowered.
We are mighty
We are women, doctors, friends, spouses, mothers, fur baby mothers, sisters, daughters, and more.
We move through our work with grace
We hold strength for others
We often forget to give back to ourselves.
Colleagues, friends, it’s time
Take a moment to remind yourselves
Remember how hard you worked to get here
Give yourself space to breathe, even just one deep breath
Give yourself just a moment of peace
Before giving to everyone else.
Thank you for all you do.