Fall is my Spring

fall inspires.  fall stings my throat and nose and makes glassy my eyes.  i see and experience newness in the fall;

we had dinner last night on the wharf. an all seafood restaurant with candle lighting and herbs drying from wooden-beamed ceilings. the kitchen was open and we commented on how it did not smell of fish.  lobster, shrimp, blue fish, perfectly prepared.  

creme brulee for dessert.  creme brulee is my favorite.  the crystalized crunch on top and smooth, just sweet enough, custard on the bottom.  excellence in my mouth.

mornings are early and the coffee is strong.  we work and play and dream in this fall.

after an exam covering renal, respiratory and cardiovascular systems and their post-op plan of care, Phil met me for an afternoon beer in a quiet cozy irish pub on the water.  it was his 27th birthday.  we verbalize our thoughts and plans for the future.  talks of children, prolonged hours and demands of our careers.

I've recently been considering surgery as my speciality (on any given day, it's Family Medicine, Community Health, or Infectious Disease).  Last week I was in the OR for a cleft palate repair.  One of the visiting surgeons told me that I belonged in the OR; that I had a commanding presence and the personality for the OR crowd.  if any of you have worked in the OR, then you know the type.  they're a different breed down there.

over our drinks, Phil told me that he too has been thinking of surgery lately.  I think we'd make a pretty good team in the OR.  I told him that I'd submit there.

oh dreams.  only God knows what's to come.

for now, we drink coffee and study.  we soak up the things we think are important and let the other things go.

we miss friends during the fall.  we nurture hopes of reunions in the coming year.

I make plans for trips to the Dominican Republic for my research;  we try to arrange our schedule so we can return to Asia over the summer.

this season will make us better for tomorrow.  we will have more to give.  more knowledge, more skill, more wisdom.

and if it's possible,

I think we will have more love and more passion tomorrow for our brothers and sisters in need of healing.

Lord, heal us all.  Bring to completion the work of healing that was started the moment of the fall--that moment disease and death entered the world, and bring life and newness eternal through your Son, Christ, and Your Holy Spirit.  Amen.