Friday, February 25

Circumstance

So as you probably have heard, Zach and I are ALMOST on tenterhooks wondering where "The Computer" will decide to send us for residency this year. We find out on St. Patrick's Day in a ceremony at the school. They'll hand out a bunch of envelopes containing all the 4th year students' precious info, and we all open them together. Like a mass mission call! ;)

All this waiting for our fate to be decided has gotten me thinking. How much of my present situation is my doing? How did I get to where I am today?


I never thought growing up, that I would go on a mission. Was sure that I wouldn't once I had grown up. I met a guy prepping to go on a mission and thought- "I could totally do that." So I ended up in Italy. I met people, learned a language- but the country wasn't my decision.



I thought, in 2002, that I was marrying someone who wanted to be a musician. We met doing a musical, started dating after he wrote me a song, courted while participating in two choirs, and took voice lessons from the same teacher. I foresaw duets, serenades, and guitar lessons. A couple of years later, I found out I married someone who wanted to be a doctor. Two whole duets and seven years later cut to a husband at the kitchen table practicing stitches on a pig foot.


About ten months after Mia was born, we realized that if we started on our next baby right then, he/she would arrive before we moved to med school (then, like now, we only knew the time frame, not the state.) Yeah- Mia would still be young, but we'd have family around for support, I'd be familiar with my doctor, and our first two kids would be from our home state and really good buddies growing up. Six months later, cut to Zach and I half laughing half crying as the ultrasound tech started the session by saying "Weeellll, over here's the head of the first baby..."

We didn't choose Ohio either. When it came down to it, there was one option for med school, and it was OSU.

Kind of feels like I've been part of a tossed salad, bouncing around and landing in random places. Yet, here we are. Healthy. Happy. Hopeful. I've met some friends who I don't know how I ever could have done without, and who will now be a part of my life forever.

Where would I be if I'd been able to plan everything?

Lately Anya and Bree have been running around exclaiming "It's my lucky day! Hey- it's your lucky day!"

I kind of believe them.

7 comments:

Breezi@ Not Your Average Fairytale said...

Very insightful.

It's interesting what adventures the life takes you on. :D

Can't wait to see where the magical computer of happiness will bring you.
(maybe it'll keep you here in Ohio. :D)

Rhonda said...

I LOVED this post! It's eye opening and comforting all at once. It's true that we are not able to plot our life in all the little details, or even some of the BIG ones! But the important stuff, the eternal goals, the family growing, etc...as long as those are steady and strong then all else will work itself out.

Joy in the lucky Journey!

Duncan said...

This was really well written, Summer. It got me thinking...

Unknown said...

Hoping you guys end up somewhere closer to home :) I think I prefer being told where to go then actually making the decision.

Anonymous said...

What a great recap, complete with the memory-invoking photos. Well, "the grandmas" feel the same way, you can be sure! So the big day is on St. Pattie's Day! I, for one, can hardly wait.
Love you much,
Mom

Amandean said...

I love your posts. So insightful. Maybe you'll get thrown at tx?

Alisa said...

I love this post. Some of it is news to me because I joined the family later. I can't wait to hear where you are headed. Fingers crossed and prayers said for Thursday. Hooray!