Life seems but a quick succession of busy nothings.
~ Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, 1814

It’s been a busy and complicated couple of weeks. Many back to back shifts and a bunch of silly nonsense that passed by in a blur and seemed so important at the time but looking back, I’m not able to fully recall what it was even all about. But here’s one small moment that stands out for me.

Normally I bring my coffee to work, but last weekend I was running a bit behind, so I sacrificed the coffee in favor of clocking in on time.

Lucky for me, there’s a 24/7 coffee shop in the hospital lobby because honestly, starting a 12-hour shift uncaffeinated is a tragic situation that should be avoided at all costs!

Once the opportunity presented itself, I made a quick trip downstairs to grab my hot cup of fragrant legal stimulant. The lobby was quiet and nearly empty, with only a few employees coming and going with coffees and breakfasts in hand.

As I turned the corner, I was rewarded with this beautiful corridor bathed in sunshine. Most people would probably keep walking toward their waiting cup of coffee, squinting away from the bright light, but I am not most people. I am weird.

So I stopped for a moment and absorbed the scene. Early morning sunlight poured through the windows, spilling across the floor and walls of the lobby. The dappled light filtering through the small tree outside softened the rigid lines of the pillars and window shadows. Part of the beauty was in how still and quiet it all felt.

So, while attempting to look casual and nonchalant, I managed to snap a couple of quick pictures without getting too many strange looks from people passing by.

It’s not something I’d frame or even print, but what can I say? It makes me happy to look at the picture and remember what I felt as I rounded the corner and saw the sunlight spilling through the corridor, feeling the warmth of the morning sun on my face as I walked through the light on the way to pick up my coffee.

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