I take care of and water the plants in our local hospital. It takes about six hours to go around the building from the cancer treatment center, to hospice, to offices, to the ER, to the reception areas and entry ways and lobbies. People stop me all the time and talk to me about how beautiful the plants are, they ask questions about plants they have at home, and they comment on how nice it makes the hospital to have all the healthy living plants there. It seems like the gentlest and most thoughtful people I meet are in the cancer treatment radiation center. These people are there with cancer or waiting for their loved one who is getting treatment. I know for myself, the times in my life when I looked death in the face, not knowing how long I had, or having lost a loved one, the simplest joys and appreciation for whatever peace and beauty can be found become a crystal-clear savoring of the moment. The people I meet in the oncology center are living in the moment, savoring every minute, like the lady today, who talked to me about how shiny green the leaves were on the peace lily. I feel lucky every day that I am still alive, no matter what grey clouds may come. So, I feel lucky to see another Christmas.