A Patient's Secret Gift

I've been a nurse for over ten years now, and I pride myself on maintaining professional boundaries. But last week, one of my patients surprised me in a way that left me feeling both touched and guilty. She was an older woman, probably in her late sixties, suffering from a terminal illness. We connected over our shared love for gardening. On her final day before discharge to hospice care, she slipped me a small envelope. Inside was a delicate silver bracelet with tiny garden charms, her way of thanking me for my kindness. I felt a pang deep inside, knowing it might be the last token from someone who had become so dear to me in such a short time. It's hard keeping this secret from my wife, but I fear she wouldn't understand the profound connection we formed within the sterile walls of the hospital.