The highlight of my entire day occurs the moment I hear the hum of the garage door opening. Not long after, in walks a man with a huge grin on his face-- and all chaos breaks in our house. "DADDDDYYYYYY!!!!" You'd think they hadn't seen him in years. Though he is tired, no doubt, after working a sometimes 12-hour day, he immediately drops the armful of mail and drops to his knees. I watch the loud tackle from the kitchen, my usual station at that time of day. The scowl on my face from trying to assemble some sort of fresh, healthy dinner with all the monkeys jumping about at my feet immediately changes. I can't help it. I wait patiently for the primates to finish wrestling and the hugs to dissipate, so that I can creep in and have my turn.
This man just lets the sun in. His day is full, indeed, before he's even walked through our door. His day of dealing with other doctors, teaching med students, listening to ailing patients, and talking with concerned family members, and the responsibility to be at the top of his game is a lot for him to carry. But somehow, he manages to shed that pressure for a moment when he walks through that door. Somehow, he knows just what we need-- his time, his smile, his approval, and more of his waning energy. And he gives us more.
Jamie, this is a love note to you.
