Life is worth living, and it is worth recording

 

I just finished reading a friend’s Storyworth book, and I am deeply impressed by her experiences, determination, and love for her profession. I am so glad we had a wonderful conversation before I left Eugene; I learned a great deal about her.

She is a medical doctor, a talented writer, and a gifted storyteller. I truly admire her. I even envy the close relationship she shared with her mother, as well as her peaceful yet exciting childhood, raised by loving parents and living in various countries.

We worked together when she was a neonatologist and I was a nurse. At that time, our interactions were strictly professional. I only knew her as a good doctor; I had no idea she was also an accomplished pianist. I knew she was American and spoke English, but I didn't know she spoke French and German, too. She might even speak Japanese and Korean, having lived in those countries. I haven't reached that level yet!

Academically, she is a remarkably high achiever. Through her writing, I discovered how deeply logical she is—she rarely lets her emotions take over. She planned her life beautifully and lived it to the fullest. When she faced short-term memory issues at age 19, she overcame them by working and serving others. That was her coping strategy. While volunteering at a clinic during that difficult time, she realized that helping people made her feel better, which inspired her to go to medical school. Despite her memory challenges, she graduated with great honors. I deeply admire how she declined financial support from her parents, choosing instead to work and pay her own way through college.

After medical school, she signed a contract to join the army, embarking on missions across different countries and gaining invaluable experience. I especially loved the section where she transported critically ill patients from Korea to the Philippines. What an exciting adventure!

She deeply valued her friendships from elementary school all the way through college. She also possessed a strong determination to support the women and families she served for 25 years. Although I knew she was an excellent neonatologist, I never realized how unhappy she was with her workplace. Ultimately, the stress and frustration forced her to resign. Despite those challenges, she excelled at her job and provided wonderful care to her patients.

When we worked together, I often felt a sense of distance between her and the nursing staff. As a foreigner, I couldn't quite understand why. She was the only female doctor in the unit, and the majority of the nurses were women, so I assumed they would become close friends. Now, after reading her book, I finally understand: she was simply unhappy at the time. She stayed in that job strictly out of dedication to her patients, their families, and to support her own family.

She focused mostly on her career and early life in this book, but I am certain there is so much more she left unwritten. She is a successful American lady, an exceptional doctor, a devoted daughter, and a wonderful mother and wife. How can one person excel so beautifully in every single aspect of life?

Thank you for letting me read your life story and for being my friend. You are truly a hero in my mind. Everyone’s life is an unwritten book, and every book is entirely unique. I am so glad she chose to write hers down so these rich experiences would never be lost. I believe everyone should write their own stories—not just for their children and grandchildren, but for human history. Thousands of years from now, if someone happens to read them, it will feel just like reading a fantasy novel.