Seasons

After several bleak winter months in northeastern Ohio, Spring is breathing life into the world around me. Warm air and sunshine cause new buds to appear on the gnarled branches of the giant oak trees lining the streets. Robins return to their summer homes, adding wonderful music to nature's soundtrack. The chirping and trilling of insects and animals marks the end of one season and the beginning of another.

So it is for us as we note the signs that our own world is changing as well. My wife's belly has grown into a beautiful symbol of new life and hope for future. We have been collecting items to help us transition into parenthood, the newest, most exciting phase of our life together. In a few short months we will be bringing our first child home from the hospital.

In our own way, we are like the robins, preparing our home for the addition of new life. It is exciting to see the days and weeks melt into months. Try as I may, I don't believe I'll truly appreciate how much our lives will change until our son/daughter has arrived. I look forward to this child with as much hope and anticipation as any first-time father could.

I am also looking forward to the end of this semester. As much as I enjoy learning new things and understanding the way the world works, this semester has been especially challenging. The courses I am currently taking are very labor-intensive and require much effort to maintain a decent GPA. Between school, work, and preparing for a newborn, life can get a bit stressful. However, I am relentlessly optimistic about the future.

This is my call, my quest. God has called me to be a physician; I don't take this lightly. I know the road ahead of me is long, and the journey will be arduous at times. I take joy in the fact that I am not alone. My wife is strong and encouraging, as are my family and friends. I embrace my quest with passion. I am thankful for true purpose in my life and God to see me through the difficult times. I am a man of faith and and man of science. Some say these are like oil and water, and cannot be mixed. Although I am not the wisest of men, I find it difficult to reconcile the idea that God doesn't exist. He proves Himself to me daily, and I will continue to follow His Spirit as He leads me in my quest.