People People whom, without this, we would have passed by every day in the yard, exchanging pleasant smiles and good wishes. People with whom we created connections, drew strength from each other, and endured an impossible time together. Without whom I wouldn’t be who I am today. Without their understanding, support, and rock-solid backing, I would have given up long ago. This isn’t just a collegial relationship, nor necessarily friendship… it’s a kind of closed alliance, an indescribable collective strength that we all share. People who saw the same things, felt the same feelings, and stood shoulder to shoulder with me through every decision. People to whom we are now…

People When the first news broke that a virus was sweeping somewhere on the other side of the world, one felt deep sympathy but followed the events with merely humanitarian concern, as a form of information gathering. The thought crossed my mind about how difficult the situation must be for colleagues there, what they must face, what they must feel all at once while having to make decisions about others and themselves. What a daily struggle that must be. A constant tension deep inside. Not long after, when it became clear even in our own hospital that this epidemic was more than media hysteria, I began to feel that tension…

Over the years, it has become a tradition for us that Ru asks me to make a homemade cake for his birthday. As for this year: I will never forget the workday when, between two (three, five, ten…) other hospital duties, my colleague and I were browsing cake recipes to find that one perfect cake — the tastiest, the most impressive, and still doable within the boosted work morale that knows no afternoons, evenings, or weekends during COVID times. The task was not easy, but by the end of the day, we came up with a great idea: the Nutella cake! Ingredients: I mixed the larger pile of sugar with…

Before I become irreparably sentimental and start sharing all my thoughts and wandering emotions from the perspective of a mother who spent a whole day with her family for the first time in weeks, I’d rather share the pictures and a short video of our Easter this year. A day that I savored in every detail, experienced every sound, absorbed every scent and touch, every tiny finger rustling in strands of hair. From the bottom of my heart, I hope your holiday was just as you imagined it in these extraordinary times: peaceful, surrounded by loved ones, and careful. And as a footnote, a memory from busier times, from other…

Happy Name Day, Ru..! Finally, a moment has come when, no matter the circumstances, I make sure to create space and time in the day for what matters most: family. This ongoing emergency situation has made every hospital a challenging place, yet the healing of patients and the workflows built around it are values into which one puts their whole heart. Even outside of emergencies, this is demanding work, but despite 10-11 hour shifts, we go to bed each night with peace, knowing we have contributed something meaningful—something that moves things forward, something worth sacrificing Saturdays and Sundays for, and facing the next week and the one after with resolve.…

For me, the carnival season already feels like a countdown: we’re coming out of winter! Because December claims all the holidays for itself, and January and February are basically just about surviving until spring. Luckily, there are still birthdays and name days to celebrate in the family during these months, which brighten this period a bit. But when it’s carnival time, you can see the light at the end of winter’s long, cold tunnel, and a gentle tingling appears at your fingertips, signaling that the worst of the cold is almost over. And as such a hopeful milestone, what better way to celebrate than with a batch of fitting homemade…

The wind has been blowing wildly for days. Everyone is restless because of it—irritable, sensitive—but somehow it has a calming effect on me. The way it roars through the streets, foaming like waves, sometimes I almost believe it’s alive. But since it’s wind, let it blow. Let it rage, tear apart, and then calm down. But when it blows, let it also blow music. Melody, rhythm, colors on five lines—give a little more than just itself. Let it show beyond its translucent forms and guide me along a path where I don’t need yellow bricks or curbs, but where sounds replace light in the end. Let it howl in a…

This holiday passed undeservedly quickly, and by the time we had visited and indulged every family member, we barely had one evening left of Christmas to spend quietly at home in pajamas, relaxing with just our close family. I’m considering introducing new traditions next year to see if they work out—for example, on the first day of Advent, not only decorating the house but also putting up the Christmas tree. I’ve noticed this tradition in several families, and although I initially approached it with some hesitation (we always set up the tree on the morning of the 24th), over the years I’ve grown so accustomed to it that I’ve even…

Although my new job requires me to use up my year-end reserve energy, all things considered, I truly feel good at the hospital. If I’m clever, we’ll be able to experience Advent at home just as this season deserves: in peace, with the scent of cookies, spiced coffee, good books, and most importantly, with each other. Since creating the Advent atmosphere at home during busy weekday evenings takes some extra attention and planning, this little virtual nook has been a bit neglected in recent weeks. So, now is the perfect time to share with you some of the most memorable moments from the past period through a few photos—capturing the…