Richmond: a city on the James River
The first month of dental school has flown by, consistently with what we'd been told about the duration of our training, that "the days are long but the years are short." It has been interesting to interact with such a diverse group of professional students. I've been challenged to consider the modes of communicating or socializing that might bring me closer or farther away from my classmates. I have found one of these major 'modes of socializing' to be off limits due to my age and am not sure that age is the only thing that will keep me from acquiring a taste for 'going out with friends.' I continue to enjoy commuting by bike but have been numerously advised against cycling in various parts of the city at various times of the day. Feeling unwilling to actively distrust the people by whom I am surrounded and in contemplating the differing values that separate me from many of my classmates, I sorrowfully appreciate the social norms and problems that divide us as a people. I hope that I don't grow used to finding and interacting in social circles of comfort and security, while being ignorant of the lives of those with whom I can't so easily connect.
The Virginia War Memorial, honoring named soldiers of various wars
The logo of the organization with whom I am partnering as a dentist-in-training
On a joyous note, I received notification on August 31st that I am awarded the National Health Service Corps Scholarship. This entails the NHSC fully supporting my 4 year dental training in exchange for a 4 year service commitment in a Health Professional Shortage Area of my choosing. I am thankful for the relief of professional school loans and look forward to beginning my dental career in an underserved area where health practitioners strive to create a healthier community. These two factors (lack of colossal loans and placement in an underserved area) may allow me to pursue public health training, a discipline that continues to interest me. In this regard, receiving this award seems like an important milestone in the course of both my professional career and my personal life. Thinking about such 'stepping stones' and 'connecting the dots,' I reminisce offering one of my favorite Psalms to the daily pre-clinic devotional (about which I posted on February 24, 2012 when I concluded my volunteering experience in Honduras). Then, I had noted that verse 2 of the Psalm suggests a subtle ever-present exchange of action (speech) and substance (knowledge). I resolved that experiences happen (as day cycles into night) whether or not we take advantage of or appreciate them. Today, I am conscious of the fact that the heavens and firmament (all that surrounds us) allows everyone (regardless of 'speech or language') to equally experience the same cycle. I hope you can also appreciate the beautiful scripture passage:
19 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
Memory: what a wonderful part of being human. We don't, however, get the choice of remembering exclusively the pleasant.
...And so I journey onward, challenged to honor the opportunities I've had and continue to be granted with fervent effort.
