It was an eventful day.
Hello Lily Jude who decided to enter the World (as we know it) this morning. Dawn and Marc (as well as many of us) had been eagerly awaiting her arrival...she finally decided to humor us and make her entrance. The full head of hair was a surprise but how beautiful she is was no surprise at all.
I'm thankful for the opportunity to visit the Hudocks. It warmed my heart greatly.

In the evening, however, I had the responsibility to do what I dread the most in this career as a physician. I had to tell parents that their child had died. It was a child that required much care, patience, love...and this child received it during her life. I know her parents will feel this loss forever and my heart is heavy for them.

I saw my last patient as a Pediatric Rehabilitation Fellow today. It marked the end of my higher education (16 long years that have flown by since I left the halls of my high school).
I have just received my promotion and am now an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. I guess this marks a transition from student to teacher.
But, it was quite clear today that I, no doubt, will continue to be taught lessons by Life...whether I like it or not. I saw the beauty of a new life emerging today and can easily foresee the love and joy this individual will bring to her family and those with whom she will come into contact. In this photo, hopefully it is clear how tightly her parents will hold onto her as well as the great extent that she will reach towards them. It is a tragedy when such a connection is broken by the realities of life...when the loss of this connection becomes the source of suffering.
Those things we cannot control. But, what we can do is to hold on in our hearts to those we love a little tighter...I believe our World will be a little better for it.
Be Well.