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.