After taking over care for a well-known patient, I realized how Brie had helped her through some tough news. Earlier that day after a family meeting with her oncologist, we all learned that the patient's cancer had returned and there wasn't much more that could be done. We would lose our patient to cholangiocarcinoma before the New Year.

Our patient, selflessly, was worried only about her husband and two teenage daughters. She couldn't help but think of all the times they would need her guidance and she would not be there for her girls. She wouldn't see them graduate. She wouldn't be at their weddings.

She asked Brie what to do. Brie suggested making scrapbooks for each of her girls. Fill the books with photos, memories and most important letters from their mother. Brie encouraged her to write cards to the girls for the milestones and celebrations that she wouldn't be a part of.

It helped our patient imagine what it would be like to attend their graduations or watch them walk down the isle.

As I cared for our patient later that night, you could see a new sparkle in her eyes, a new sense of purpose. I wanted to thank Brie for giving that to her.