I’ve wanted to be a nurse for as long as I can remember. I have a photo from kindergarten showing me in a white cap and dress caring for a patient in bed. The photo caption reads, “When I grow up I want to be a nurse.”

I love my job as an open heart nurse. For the first time in my life my passion helps contribute to my community. I have helped to start an open heart program in our town. I feel strongly about building something that will save lives long after I’m gone. I live on another island and fly to Oahu, by choice, to work. I do it because traveling back and forth is worth it in order to belong to a caring community.

One woman stands out. She knew she didn’t have many days left to live and created a bucket list. On that list...

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