The opportunity to walk often in a hospital hallway is a precious one, as it becomes an exercise in gratitude. Yes, an exercise, because gratitude should be regarded as a practice, rather than a feeling.

Today I am not walking around as an architectural photographer, and not as a health care professional.

I walk as a friend today, going to visit a young child waiting for an upcoming surgery. As I move through the hallway, a little girl walks in a hospital gown, carrying a coloring book and a doll. Two boys sit together in the playground area, pushing a small toy truck on the slider. IV's, bandages, monitors - and a variety of colorful caps covering those little heads. 

There must be some uncertainty, and fear, and pain in those hearts. And yet they all find the strength and courage to smile and play, and to seek hope.  

We have so much to be grateful for. Being healthy enough to walk into this hospital as a visitor, for one. Being healthy enough to walk in many hospitals to take photographs. Being healthy enough to come by and meet all these wonderful people, even if just for a moment, even if just to share a brief walk along the hallway.

So, yes, please: at least once in each one of our busy days, let's take a minute to practice gratitude.

E.