So Much More

A graduation poem for my residents, who have spent four years after medical school in radiology and still have another year to complete in a subspecialty fellowship.

Photo by Umanoide on Unsplash

I’m curious to know how your future turns out—
your success and advancement are never in doubt.
I just hope for a life long enough that I’ll see
how your life unfolds, and just who you will be.

You’ve now met a goal that for much you have yearned,
and now it is time to use all you’ve learned.
Look back, and you’ll see just how far you have come,
but look forward and see there's much more to be done.

You’ve worked very hard and you’ve made some good calls,
you’ve listened to lectures from smart know-it-alls,
your brain is filled up with a whole lot of stuff
but you’ll always wonder if you’ve learned enough.

The truth of the matter is that you’ll always learn,
as long as the love of your craft still will burn,
and as long as you’re curious and still take the time,
you’ll continue to nurture a very fine mind.

Approaching work’s mountain is where you are now,
and climbing those heights is where you’ll learn how
to see all the sides and to find the right roads
on paths where you balance a delicate load.

Today, you are younger than you’ll ever be,
so make good of your time, and live mightily!
You know what they say about work with no play,
so keep your life lively—have fun every day.

You will be important in so many lives,
but especially your children and husbands and wives,
so be good to them all and give them your best.
Also, care for yourself, making sure that you rest.

Go out in this world and take it all in,
but take a deep breath before you begin,
and know that you have so much more yet to see
before you find out who it is you will be.