The End of an Era?😢

I am feeling a bit sad...and lost. Yesterday I got a letter...a sweet, sweet letter in the mail. It was from my OB/GYN. He is retiring. While I know that I should be feeling joy for him and this phase of his life, in reality I am feeling a pretty strong sense of loss. Dr. Joseph has been MY DOCTOR for 35 years! Over those years he has become my friend as well. He was there to counsel me when I was preparing for my walk down the aisle. He was there to prepare me when Ron and I talked about starting our family. He was the first human touch that either of my children felt. He worked with me when I had difficulty getting pregnant with Ryan. He was there in the NICU checking up on my son after he was born. I remember that he brought donuts for the nurses and told them to take good care of that McMahen boy. He delivered my oldest grandson. He performed my surgery when I was having problems with anemia. He has aspirated God only knows how many cysts that I have had over the years. He always takes time to talk about any changes in life between visits, so he has shared my sorrow at losing my mom and my brother, he has heard about my work woes, he has celebrated with me the birth of each of my grandchildren and he has shared in the joy of my retirement. Now, it is his turn. Dr. Joseph has delivered countless babies over the years. He has probably lost zillions of hours of sleep. Now, perhaps he can catch up on a little of those lost zzzzs. Maybe he can spend more time traveling with his wife and taking those wine tours they enjoy. Now he can travel to New York with his wife to visit that three year old grandson that I can tell he absolutely adores. He can go to as many Dallas Stars games as he chooses without being "on call" or worrying about having to get up early the next day. As for me...I will find a new doctor and move on...but only because it's the right thing to do. I can't imagine, nor do I expect to find another doctor that I feel as close to. But that's okay because I believe that Dr. J has earned this time. I wish him the best and most joyful retirement and encourage him to get out there and enjoy these days ahead. The best is yet to come, Dr. Joseph. The best is yet to come!!