A happy/sad thing...

[Padraig18]

At 10:00 this morning, there will be a reception at the library here to honor Dr. Viola Beck on the occasion of her retirement from the practice of medicine. Dr. Beck, or 'Vi', as most people call her, opened her medical practice here in 1944 after graduation from the University of Illinois' School of Medicine, and except for 2 brief 'vacations' for the birth of her 2 sons, she has practiced continually since that time.

Vi is a spry 86 year-old who both looks and acts 15 years younger, and is one of the few people I've ever met that I've never heard a single bad word about. She said she wanted to retire 5 years ago, but felt that her responsibility to her patients required that she continue her practice until she could find someone who would continue to practice the way her patients had come to expect: someone who would make house calls, someone who would take patients on the basis of the patient's need, and not his/her ability to pay, someone who would continue to educate him-/herself on the latest advances in medicine, yet never forget that a good beside manner is the most critical element in a good doctor/patient relationship, someone who would actively take part in the life of the community, and not be confined to the practice of medicine.

Vi found such a physician in the person of Dr. Roger Edwards, 29, a graduate of the Case-Western Reserve University and a man who 'grew up in the same small town in South Dakota', as he told me yesterday. He looks and sounds like he'll 'do Vi proud', and I'm glad he's chosen our fair village for his new home.

As for Vi, I'm happy for her, but a bit sad for us. Although I'll miss seeing her as she comes and goes from her office down the block, she's assured me that Tony and I will continue to be the recipients of her fabulous white-chocolate chip cookies.

:D

[liberalhistorian]

1. She sounds like the

description of what a perfect doctor should be! How many doctors nowadays would think first of a patient's need instead of ability to pay (VERY FEW!), let alone make house calls! Maybe today's docs need to take a few lessons from her.

I used to live in South Dakota as a child, btw, and still vacation in the Black Hills there, do you know what town they grew up in? And I live near Cleveland and Case Western Reserve, talk about double coinky-dink!

[Padraig18]

3. I expect there will be a few tears today...

Vi's not just well-liked, she's truly 'beloved' by everyone I know. I agree with you about her being what a perfect doctor should be.

I'll as Dr. Edwards what town he's from, and let you know. :)

[LynzM]

2. Wow

She sounds like a truly one-in-a-million (maybe less?) type person. Your community must benefit wonderfully from having her as part of it :D Glad to hear she found someone she trusts and has trained as her follower!

[Padraig18]

4. Our coroner tells the story of his wife's death from cancer...

His wife was dying at home, and on the evening of her death, Vi came to make her customary evening house call; after seeing to his wife's comfort, etc., Vi sat down in a chair in the bedroom and just held Mr. Schrader's hand. He told her he'd be OK, and that she probably had other things that needed doing, so if she needed to go, it would be all right.

She squeezed his hand and said "There's nothing I have to do that's more important than this, and no one who needs me more right now, so I'll stay, if that's OK with you". It was more than OK, of course.

She will be missed. :)

[Padraig18]

5. What Vi had to say

It was quite touching, and I'm not sure that there were any dry eyes in the crowd afterwards. The Mayor presented her with an Official Proclamation declaring this "Dr. Viola Beck Day" in our village, and asked her to say a few words. Here is what she had to say,as best I can transcribe from memory:

" I want to thank each and every one of you for coming today. Your presence here means more to me than I know how to say.

As I look out among the faces here, I don't see any patients, although technically that's what most of you here today are or have been at one time or another. Instead, I see my friends and my neighbors, the grown-up faces of the little girls who were in my Brownie troops and the little boys I rehearsed in their catechism at St. John's, the young, worriedfaces of first-time mothers and fathers whose hands I held and reassured, the precious babies who I assisted into this world, and their babies and grandbabies. That is what I see today, and I hope you won't think me a foolish, sentimental old woman for telling you that about myself.

You have given me far more than I have ever given you, because you have allowed me to live a life that has had a purpose and a meaning, and you have helped me to make a difference in this world, and for that I will forever be grateful. You have allowed me to witness the seamless unfolding of life from generation to generation to generation, and to have a small part in that glorious panorama.

If you truly want to honor me, don't give me gifts, or name things in my honor. I would prefer that you honor me by caring for each other, as I have tried to care for you. Be good to each other and help each other. Celebrate together in the happy times, work together in hard times, and cry together in sad times. In short, just remember to love each other every day as much as I have loved you all every day since I first knew you.

Thank you."

:D

[Padraig18]

6. Kick

:)

[dolo amber]

7. #%$^@ Paddy!!

I swear, I am NEVER clicking on any of your *tribute* type threads again!! :cry:



You are so lucky to have had so many wonderful people in your life...and you should REALLY consider a career as a writer. ;)

*goes to fetch tissue, mumbling..."stupid Paddy...makin' me get all weepy"...

:D

[Padraig18]

8. I count my blessings every day, as we all should.

The world is full of wonderful people, and we see them every day, even if we don't always recognize it. :)

[Cuban_Liberal]

9. I'm sorry I couldn't be there.

She's an amazing person! :)