The Hand Of God

When I first started practicing almost thirty years ago I called on God quiet a bit for help with difficult cases.Today while examining a post cancer patient with severe neck pain I asked God to be my hands-his response back to me was no my son you be My hands.The lady was out of work with a severely disabled husband and she had come to us because her bucket was full.It is a rare privilege to help relieve patients from their pain.At the end of the day my thoughts still turned to her and several others that had come our way.I use to ask God for help because I was uncertain and yes nervous if I was up to the task.I still marvell that He speaks and shows himself at just the right moment.The lady got off the table-no words were spoken-but we looked at each other and felt the hand of God that had just touched us both.

A Torch Finally Passed

In a few weeks Josh will become only the second doctor in our family.His great,great grandfather John Lucius Garrard was the first.My dad would have been the second but he was taken way too soon.The road has been anything but smooth and the hours have been long and hard.Young person will you spend 8 to 9 years in college,work 4 years at minimum wage and come out owing $250,000 in student loans and did I mention be a parent,be a husband ,and somehow keep your sanity in the process.I knew early on that he was smart.There was this gifted test in kindergarten where he missed the meaning of the word few  that keep him out of the gifted program. Somehow he overcame that.In the seventh grade I paid a visit to his art teacher - the first b he ever made.She was surprised I would care told her I didn't really but I was worried that it would effect him- obviously it didn't .I was 99% sure Josh and Justin would be doctors but thought Jessica may have the best chance to get in.Glad she didn't try-I know 5 kids who would have missed out on a hall of fame mom.Speaking of Jessica she was Josh and Justin's first teacher besides Jolene as they played school all the time.Honestly Josh's first job choice would have been basketball.The discipline he learned from that has carried over into medicine.Josh is what ever parents hopes and dreams about-tall,good looking ,smart,a leader,caring.He will never let you see him sweat and he is cool under pressure but beneath that cool exsteerior is a heart of gold.To whom much is given ,much is expected in return.No worries there.I am sure Josh has been helped by many people along this path but no one deserves more credit than his wife Ryan.She has been amazing the past eight years.Taking care of the kids ,the house ,the yard and of course Josh.Cash and Taylor have provided so much joy and happiness on this journey and there is no limit to what their future holds.
Josh,words aren't enough to express how proud I am of you.You will be a doctor that will make a difference in people's lives everyday.To alleviate pain and suffering is a special call on ones life.People won't care how much you know until they know how much you care.And sometimes the best medicine is not medicine at all.So many decisions in the coming months but this much I know God is directing your path and whatever obstacles you face ,we'll they aren't bigger than the God you serve.It seems as though your mom and I blinked and you went from riding Rambo Hot Wheels,Heman Creatures, and shooting endsless baskets to saving lives and a family of your own.I see Big Daddy,your Grandfather Lucius,and of course Grandmother Hare and Dorothy all smiling,I see so many people so thankful you passed their way.

St Augustine

For years we drove past St Augustine down to New  Smyrna Beach . It is different with 12-15 kids and of course we stayed free back then.St Augustine has a coziness about it that makes you want to live here.Live music at most of the restaurants and a personality that goes with being "the oldest city in America".Our first night we heard Ty - a retired school teacher -play several of our requests and Justin and Jana danced to their song. -Wagon Wheel.Last night we ate BBQ at MoJos and rode downtown in a horse and buggy.The weather was perfect as we explored the city and scouted out future dining spots.I will have to stop by the fountain of youth down here as my shoulder has been hurting for two days. It has been two years since we had been to the beach.There is nothing like the breeze on a long run gently cooling you off or the sand under your feet.At home I would never think of sitting in the sun all morning doing nothing.Maybe that is why God made beaches .To give us something so vast and powerful -something to marvel at-that gives us a small glimpse at his majesty.Something that indeed slows us down as we remove our watches for the week.We will laugh and watch a few movies,listen to music ,run along the beach,and mostly enjoy this special time together.We are all blessed beyond measure as we give thanks to the One who has made it so.

Graduation

In a few days 3 of my kids will graduate...Carley,Steven, and Chistopher. Where did the years go and what I wouldn't give to have just one of those days back for just a moment.I will write something to each of them in a Dr Seuss book The Places You Will Go and truly off they will go into the world.As a parent I probably complained about all I had to do raising 12 foster kids and our 3 but that time was truly the best of times and unfortunately we can't go back no matter how bad we may want to sometimes. It was a season of my life that I will always hold close.I will pray for them and give advice when asked but it is their life and they must make the choices which will define it.I use to say all the time "Life is about choices and those choices will define your life.They all are special and I am so glad they are a part of our family.We think we have all the time in the world.The truth is life is a series of fleeting moments that are ours to capture if only we will .Dr Seuss was right all along -oh the places places you will go!