It has taken me months to settle into the loss of my mother.

Death brings us face to face with a truth we often avoid: life is not permanent. We all have an expiration date. And no matter how much we believe we are prepared for the death of a loved one, I don’t think we ever truly are.  In the quiet moments, I replay the chain of events over and over again. I ask myself the questions that haunt many of us in medicine—but feel heavier when the patient is your own mother.

Could I have made a difference?

As a physician?

As a dermatologist?

As her daughter?

Have you ever experienced that amazing, fulfilling, feel-good moment? Chances are, you were connecting with your core values. Understanding our values is crucial for making choices that truly resonate with us.