Back on a beautiful autumn day in Seattle, which also just happened to be my 50th birthday, I was selected as the 2012 Ruth McCorkle Award Lecturer by the Puget Sound Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) chapter. The lectureship was started in 1987 as a special tribute to Ruth McCorkle, PhD, RN, FAAN, who was a member of the chapter. Chapter members are nominated by peers in recognition of their contribution to oncology nursing and to ONS, both locally and nationally. The timing of the award prompted me to reflect on my nursing values and the steps that led me to where I am today.