And still I rise.

"You is kind. You is smart. You is important."

~ Aibileen, "The Help"

This picture was taken on Match Day last week. The beautiful, proud young woman holding this envelope is Swaisha F. and she is one of our graduating senior medical students. I have found it literally impossible to look at this photograph without crying. I am not even kidding.

I can't say all I want to say because I am crying again. But let me say this: Students need support. They do. And when they have it? I mean really, really have it?

This is what it looks like.

Here's the other thing I'm learning from this side of medical education:

When we support you, it supports us, too. It gives meaning to what we do and a nudge to go harder. So for that, I thank you, Swaisha. I thank you for allowing me to be a part of this journey with you because it has left me forever changed.

Forever changed.

I guess I'm just thinking. . . true support comes when someone looks at you as who you have the potential to be. They remind you repeatedly of who you are because sometimes, especially when the going gets a little tough,  it's easy to forget that. And sure, sometimes it's very specific help with the nitty gritty things. But a lot of times? All it is is someone chucking you under the chin and reminding you over and over and over again of these simple affirmations . . . .

"You is kind. You is smart. You is important."

Yeah.

***
Happy Wednesday. And warmest congratulations to our newest gainfully employed M4 students!

You can read more on the Match Day experience (from the perspective of this blog) here and here. And you can also get better insight on the above post and Swaisha here.

I swear this just never gets old for me. Ever.

Oh, and of course, this: