Today is Ash Wednesday. My plan for meals is to eat no meat today, and at work to try to go out of my way to do something special for the patients under my care. I don't know yet what it will be, but usually an opportunity opens up each night that I work. Sometimes it is simply to spend a few extra minutes visiting with a lonely patient, sometimes it means buying a snack for them out of my own pocket when they are hungry and there is nothing in the refrigerator for them.
Sometimes it is dialing the phone for them when they want to speak with family. Or interceding with the doctor to obtain orders for something the patient needs. These are things I normally do, but I make special effort to do more of them during Lent. I also try to offer up prayers for my patients and for family and friends. And I definitely will be offering up prayers that we do not have to go to war with Iraq.