2009 was apparently a big year of change, if the internets tell the truth. It certainly was for me. It was the year I became a wife, a doctor, and a (cough) New Englander, in chronological order. In 2 months we had the most amazing wedding with so much love from friends and family, quickly drove back to Cleveland for graduation, flew to Milan, honeymooned in Tuscany where we practically drank the olive oil straight (and maybe some wine too), flew back to a Cleveland now empty of our med school compatriots, finished packing, and drove the Penske truck to Rhode Island with the help of my father-in-law. 2 weeks later, I was introducing myself as Dr. G, checking cervixes, cutting into abdomens, and trying to project confidence.
While here in Providence, I have changed. I'm learning to act fast and trust that I actually do know how to manage sick people. I've learned what it's like to bond with oncology patients over time, only to hear that she died over the weekend or two days after you discharged her to home hospice or on Christmas morning. I'm learning about marriage. About relying on your partner enough but not too much. About trying to feel like a human partner after working and worrying about your patients all day. And I've developed my relationship with my sister. We're both on the east coast now, within a short driving distance. More things are possible. Work has provided new friends, including Cat, my "Work Wife," my partner in foodie crime. We go to Boston for Ethiopian food, New Haven for restaurant week, and La Laiterie all too often for cheese. We discuss the changes that our jobs demand of us.
Transition: it's the part of labor where things truly get going, where the pain becomes truly intense. It looks awful, overwhelming, impossible. But it is necessary for birth.
3 comments:
Happy New Year! Your wedding picture is great! Looking at it I can feel the joy of that day.Congrats again!
I so appreciated your description of transition. We all go through that many times in our lives not even counting the birthing of our natural children. It is such a relief when that transition is over, birth has happened and a new normal starts to be established.
I'm sure you remember little Rose from the Yarn Cafe'. You helped us with that sock project. We got one finished and said that's enough! LOL! Rose graduated to the other side last Sunday morning. She was 100 yrs old, clear minded, in good spirits,living with her daughter and still doing simple knitting projects. We got together several times a month for lunch and knitting. She was a joy and inspiration to all of us.
May 2010 be full of blessing for you!
Delores
You forgot to mention that transition was also the part where you scream, "YOU did this to me!!" at your partner and they don't mind. Okay, so I didn't actually do that while giving birth, but there have been other transitions where I've wanted to blame someone else in the moment only to realize later that no one is to blame and that the pain is what it is...a catalyst to move forward. And that my partner will support me even when I'm talking crazy.
Great post!
Indeed.
It has been a privilege to pass through this year with you, sometimes vicariously, sometimes in teamwork (can you say turducken? or bouquet?), always with gratitude to have you in our lives.
And I'll pause a moment for Rose, too. So many connections in this big world, really.
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