Doctor Doctor

In about 3 hours, Doc and his fellow classmates will again join together and take the Hipocratic Oath, only this time they will be attired in traditional academic regalia and be hooded as they receive their diplomas.

It seems like just a couple months have passed since their white coat ceremony when they first made that same oath and began this journey. Doc has some of the finest people I know as classmates, and it has been an honor to get to know them as they've studied their brains out these past four years.

So naturally I can't sleep. The only other time in my life that I have felt this crazy combination of excited/happy was the night before our wedding...random, huh?! I'm just so proud of Doc, and all that he has accomplished! It's been a zany, difficult, happy, painful, exciting and successful road this past four years. And it's going to be more of the same for the next six or seven. But I'm so glad we've come this far as a family.

Doc is going to be a neuroradiologist. The path from here to there begins with today's graduation ceremony, followed by a transitional year at a local hospital, followed by four years of radiology residency at a different local hospital, and then a year or two of fellowship in neuroradiology. So for the foreseeable future, he will be training and working crazy hours just like the last four. But he'll be helping people and learning vast amounts of information that will bless countless lives. And he loves this stuff! I've never met anyone who was as passionate about learning as Doc is (well, except for maybe my sister. Maybe.)

Some people have asked why I call him "Doc" when he isn't actually a doctor yet and it's because I'M A COMPLETE NARCISIST. But as my sister always reminds me, he already is a doctor. He earned a Ph.D. in biology and anatomy years ago, and then taught medical school in New England before deciding to become a physician.

For some reason we didn't really celebrate that accomplishment-which is too bad because it was a lot of work. He didn't even attend his graduation ceremony. I think we might have already moved by the time it took place. But not this time! We're doing it up in fine fashion. Partly because this whole week has been a series of award ceremonies and banquets, but also because yesterday was Doc's birthday!

He had an award banquet last night, and when I found out about it, I coordinated with the people in charge to present him with his birthday cake when they gave him his award. It worked out perfectly because alphabetically, he was the last recipient of the evening, so when the dean called him up, he announced that it was also his birthday as the cake I'd made was brought out and everybody sang to him.

Doc and the dean after the ceremony.

It was awesome. And a total surprise for Doc. We were delighted that his parents, our kids, and my sister and brother could join us for the event. It was a fun night.

Close-up of his cake

When we returned home, the MOTHER OF ALL CANDY CARDS was waiting for Doc. I made a little video of him reading it which I'll post when I get a chance, but here's a photo of it.

Candy Card

Well, I best get ready for this day. The butterflies in my stomach don't really make sense to me; I'm not the one walking across the stage! But never again will we have a day like today. I'm so happy for Doc, and so proud of him. And Doc, when you read this (yes, he actually does read my blog and all your comments even though he's never left a comment himself)...WAY TO GO! You're simply amazing and I love you!

Grateful for:

1) The Enormous Village who have helped us get this far.

2) Generous friends who let me commandeer their home for 2 days while working on the cake and card. Wouldn't have happened without everything you did!
3) People everywhere who work hard to be the best at what they do. Don't you love how they make the world so much better?!