from the editor
I believe in the solitude of a two-dog morning, when both of my pugs curl up in my lap, I’ve got a cup of tea in one hand, a Book of inspiration in the other, the computer is in sleep mode and the calendar says I have 3 whole months ‘til my next deadline. I believe winter in Wildwood offers an opportunity to de-stress and to delve into the serenity that is found by being alone on a desert island. (I also believe there’s a difference between being alone and being lonely.)
. . .Here I sit on the cusp of my sabbatical, with my deadline only weeks away, and I realize that it was anything but my typical mellow winter break. Instead, my daily to-do lists were filled with deadlines for my son’s college apps, sat’s, essays, fafsa forms, etc.
I realize I am on the verge of an empty nest.
Robert pursued his top choice, the United States Coast Guard Academy, with all that he had in him. He completed the application (which was more like running an obstacle course), and met every deadline required. The agonizing wait to hear if he made the highly selective cut for early action decision was, as I said, agonizing. The huge disappointment came in December when he was deferred to the regular action decision for late spring. Even his admissions officer was shocked at the news. My son knew in his heart that God had just closed the door to the USCGA.
So he quickly embarked on a search for plan B. He came out of his bedroom what seemed like moments later saying he was going to be a doctor. His dad & I were like “Wow! Really?”
This is how wanting to become a doctor of Osteopathic medicine had transpired for Rob. He recently purchased a record player along with some vintage Beatles albums. He put on the Revolver album for a spin and lo and behold! the song “Dr. Robert” began to play. At that moment, recollections of his adolescent days and wanting to be a doctor all came back to him. Thoughts of going to the Young Medical Explorers program at the hospital entered his mind. He remembered how he wanted to be like Patch Adams and how he was allowed to administer his grandfather’s insulin shots.
So the next day, which was the last day before winter break, Rob met with his guidance counselor to discuss his new plan and to see if he could get all of the necessary paperwork sent to New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. Within 3 short weeks, he received his letter of acceptance along with a pretty nice size 4 yr. scholarship. He knew right away that God had just opened the door to the 7 yr. accelerated Life Sciences/ Pre-Med Program.
Somewhere along the way, he had forgotten his passion for becoming a doctor until recently going to South Africa on a missions trip and holding a 4 yr. old boy in his arms who is suffering with AIDS. The Coast Guard Academy may never know who they missed out on. But there’s a world out there deeply in need of compassionate doctors. NYCOM’s graduating class of 2015 will be congratulating Dr. Robert as he takes his heart of compassion out into a depraved world. For now, I congratulate my son, but more importantly I thank God for all He has given me.
On another warm note, April 1st marks the anniversary of the beginning of the 5th season of The SUN! Look for special archives featured throughout the year! After a long winter’s nap, I believe I am more than ready to bring you all of the stuff that makes The SUN so much fun! (As you can see by the cover… we can’t wait!) But before I do, I’ll take my dogs to the beach for a nice long walk. Here’s a humungus thank you to all of you for allowing me to be publishing the 23rd issue of The Sun by-the-sea!
“He opens doors, and noone can shut them; He shuts doors, and noone can open them.” -Rev. 3:7
Publisher, editor, and artist
The SUN by-the–sea, , WILDWOOD, NJ
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