The sound was ordinary.

I had never loved ordinary things more.

PART 17

Several months later, Rachel began volunteering one morning a week at a patient-safety education program.

It did not involve bedside nursing.

She helped families understand how to ask questions about treatment plans, medication lists and equipment used in care.

Her supervisors respected her limits; if she became tired, she went home.

She loved the conversations because she could help without pretending her own recovery was finished.