To a woman who has temporarily misplaced her dream

A response to a woman who has temporarily misplaced her dream.
 
(Read this first.)  Madam Sassy Pants 

 
I read somewhere that grief takes as many different forms as there are people. It’s not at all unusual for someone to lose faith, direction, purposefulness, interest, and love of self and others, after losing a loved one. Self-doubt and self-loathing are frequently present during grief.
 
To say, “I wanted to be a doctor to make a difference, help people, fix the world. I no longer find that I believe any of that is possible,” is to yield to the grief. Yielding is ok, it’s just that that statement is (as you’ve said) a “belief” and not an accurate summation of your future. How can it be? The future is unknowable.
 
In MY view of your future, a little girl lies on your table, a victim of a drive by shooting, a bullet lodged in the lining of her heart. There is no time to wait for the cardiac surgeon, nor to move her to an ER and to do so will kill her.
 
You; with your medical education represented by your professors and the medical books they read, and the authors of THOSE medical books and the books THOSE authors read, back, back, back, the THOUSANDS of years your training and education represent, culminating with Hippocrates, Paracelsus, Aspasia; deftly cut the bullet from her chest and save her life.
 
Twenty years later, she seeks you out to proudly introduce you to HER daughter, “Honey, this is the good doctor who saved mommy’s life so I could live to be your mommy.”
 
Do I know it will be true? No, not any more than you know it won’t. However, I DO know, at that moment, or one like it, you will have clarity!
 
Trust me! You are a healer! Right now, the healer is in need of healing. Give yourself time … whatever time it takes, to repair the tear in your heart.
 
Remember, “Primum non nocere,” especially to your own future, to your own work.
 
Go forth and celebrate your accomplishment, as best you can in your grief. Moreover, when you walk forward to receive your degree, listen to the UNIVERSE … listen to your father when he was at his wisest … as we all, strangers, family, and friends alike, applaud you, your accomplishment, and all you represent, good Doctor.
 
Thank you for what you do and thank you for all the people you have helped, and will help in your future.

 Anne Geddes
God bless,
 
Nunzio
9280