Floating.

Childhood memories of falling, fleeing, and floating reveal how an infectious diseases physician processes grief over her mother’s death through metaphorical storytelling.

• Why it matters: Understanding personal narratives of grief can improve emotional resilience and empathy in healthcare providers, addressing the often-overlooked emotional aspects of medical practice.
• What they did: The author reflects on childhood experiences and uses these metaphors to explore her emotional journey, illustrating how personal stories shape her approach to loss and healing.
• The result: This narrative underscores the importance of storytelling in coping with grief, offering insights that can enhance emotional awareness and compassion among medical professionals.