At the beginning of the month, the man pictured here came to you at KCH in the ICU. In his infirmity, as life was slipping away from him, you met him in his fragility, debility, and vulnerability but I knew L in his strength, vigor, and vitality and boy did he ever have strength, vigor, and vitality. L was a farm boy who knew how to work. After losing a leg to amputation in midlife, L continued to work up to the final months of his life salvaging the metal from heavy discarded appliances-washers, dryers, freezers, and refrigerators so that they would not end up in landfills. Who does that at his age, size, and disability? L did that with the same smile on his face at age 81 that he did at age 18. L was kind-hearted and good-natured. I tell you this in thanks and to give you but the smallest snapshot of a dear dear friend of mine, yet a stranger to you, whose life you worked so valiantly to save, whose health you labored so kindly to restore. L died a week after you first met him so you only knew him at his weakest. I feel it safe to say that many patients, many "L's" come your way on a weekly perhaps daily basis but he was the only L in our lives and we loved him deeply. For you to care for this stranger, this L, as if he were a loved one to you shouts of your character, your professionalism, your humanity. The B family joins me in deep abiding gratitude for your dedicated care for a man for whom we cared for so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you.