Ever see a doctor being born? I did. Just a few weeks ago at the University of Texas Health Science Center. Brandi and new son-in-law, Bryan both graduated from medical school, and the experience was awesome.
Pamela told me that Brandi’s wanted to be a doctor since she was little. Well, she’s not really that much bigger, but she’s full-grown now, and now she’s a doctor. A baby doctor at that! Bryan’s a baby doctor, too, with a special emphasis on… well, you’d have to ask him. I think it’s something like interal medicine for pediatrics. Anyway, they’re sure to make a fantastic team.
I got to hear an old television friend, Dr. Red Duke, speak, ok, ramble a commencement address. I used to listen to his daily offerings on TV years ago. I only wished he would have signed off his address like he did on his health segments: From the University of Texas Health Sience Center in Houston, this is Dr. Red Duke.
There was a big party thrown afterwards by Bryan’s folks just north of Houston. Lots of swimming, beer and dogs. I’ve always been interested in dogs as family, and their dogs are family. I mentioned Rainy before, my step-dog that I inherited when I married Pamela. Yeah, remember her, the chocolate lab that couldn’t swim? Well, gentle soul’s in a better place now, but she’ll always a special place in my heart that I keep just for dogs. Like Velvet, Jasper, Fitz and a whole host of others who’ve gone ahead of me, and I mean that in a literal way. If you’ve ever walked with a dog, with or without a leash, you know they lead the way. And if you pay particular attention you’ll see them glance back every so often to make sure you’re still behind them. If you’ve suddenly turned they dutifully chase after you and get ahead of you again leading the new way.
I think being a parent is a lot like being a dog. You trust that your kids are following behind, but you have to check every now and then just to be sure. In the end they make their own choices, but that’s where we differ from the canines – we don’t chase after them. We can only lead as far as they’re willing to follow.
Brandi and Bryan have just turned on their own path, and I have to admit it’s a little tough to not chase after them. I don’t think we’ll have to worry. Even though we’re no longer on the same path (I mean they’re doctors, after all; I have problems putting a Band-Aid on correctly) the family ties have not slackened. Now we have another port of call on the family route – Birmingham.
Both are pursuing their residencies at UAB, so they’re making their home in a very nice little house they recently purchased. By a strange quirk of fate we got to spend their first evening in the home with them. Personally, as newlyweds I would not relish the thought of having to entertain overnight guests my first evening in a new home. However, I have done just that on a couple of occassions before.
The quickest way to get from Ocala, Fla. to Birmingham, Ala. is through Atlanta. And a trip to Atlanta would not be complete, or forgiven, without a visit to number one daughter, who, along with her husband, has also purchased a new home recently. And it was our first time visiting her in her new digs. Unfortunately, number one son-in-law was not able to be there and offered a silly excuse like a job or whatever. But we did visit in the afternoon, and too-short a visit it was. At least I think the dogs thought so.
Yeah, didn’t realize this thread would be all about dogs, did you? Me neither, but here we are. Haley’s animal shelter borders on the “old lady with a million cats” syndrome. I’m not saying she’s that bad, but her dogs are nuts. I love dogs. I adore dogs, so when I say these dogs are nuts I’m not just talking crazy, I’m talking four-year-old on 14th peppermint stick sugar-high kind of crazy. You know how some dogs can twist so much that they hit their ears with their butts? Yep, like that.
Having a visit with one’s daughter can be severley compromised with two animals demanding attention. Oh, I like it when a dog grovels, and meekly scoots forward to place his head under your hand and asks for a pat with a schoolboy shyness. Haley’s dogs make fun of dogs like that. I know they were acting out because there were new people in the house. My cousins used to do that, too.
Haley said that they hardly ever bothered them when they sat on the sofa, but she offered that it was probably because she was always reading a book, and the dogs knew that her attention was already devoted. That gave me an idea. The next time I saw one of the dogs coming toward me I picked up a book. Wow! Fisher immediately took a 90-degree turn when he saw me with a book in my lap. I checked the title of the book to see if that might have dissuaded him from approaching. In my experience esoteric topics have diverted many a pleasant conversation into a chore. Yeah, I wouldn’t want to be caught in that trap either.
Topping off the menagerie is a rarely seen cat who displayed her intelligence by having nothing to do with the canine-initiated bedlam ensuing in the living room.
Scheduling demanded we curtail the visit, so we reluctantly bade our goodbyes. Haley had class that evening, and parents dislike being the reason for ones tardiness. Haley’s going for her Masters of Teaching, and if ever there were a soul born to be a teacher she is it. She certainly has a passion for teaching and working with children. My patience left with my hairline and beard pigment.
Good luck to Haley and to the new baby doctors. All are faced with unseen ordeals to be sure, but knowing each of them I feel they certainly have the faith and ability to overcome any and all obstacles. My prayers will be with them to assist in their trials.
Godspeed Doctors Patterson and Mrs. Coplen.
Categories: What was I thinking?
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