Tuesday night marked the end of a significant chapter in Sumie's life. No, she's still with me (amazingly). Last night was Sumie's graduation from the nephrology fellowship program at Cornell. But this wasn't just a recognition of two years' hard training. It was the culmination of Sumie's medical education as well as our life in Manhattan.
Sumie's parents came by around 5:30pm, along with their sheltie, Harry, to watch Mimi. With our little one in good hands, we dressed up, flagged down a taxi, and headed over to the Cosmopolitan Club for Sumie's graduation dinner.
The setting, in the library of the club, was a perfect setting for the both intimate and academic affair. There were four nephrology graduates, Sumie, Stanley, David, and John. They were joined by the first year fellows as well as the nurses, social workers, and nephrology attendings who had worked alongside them throughout the training.
Each of the attendees shared a few words about the graduating fellows, both as a class and as individuals. I was already proud of Sumie for having come so far, but what the attendings shared that night about her skill, passion, and heart for medicine, and for patients, made me nearly fit to burst. One doctor shared that no matter how challenging the situation, no matter how dire the circumstances, Sumie has a way of simply making people feel happier. She disagreed with the assessment, but I think it's her selflessness and modesty that makes it possible for her to provide that kind of reassurance, that kind of care. Another attending shared that "Doctors can sometimes cure, will often relieve, but should always console." This, I think, sums up why Sumie has a fantastic career ahead of her.
Of course, each of the graduating fellows shared their thanks and best wishes for everyone in the room. Sumie had hoped to sketch out what she wanted to share in the taxi ride over to the club, but thanks to neither of her pens working, she decided she'd wing it. She started off strong, but after the first few sentences she began to falter. It was very unlike her, this former winner of the "All Japan English Speech Competition." But this was not simply Sumie's graduation from fellowship, but a graduation from an entire phase of her life.
The two of us had come to New York City nine years ago, her with a place at the Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons and a tiny dorm room, me with suitcase, no job, and no place to live. Over those nine years we grew closer together, were married, moved into our first apartment together, bought our first home together, had our darling Mimi, and succeeded in our professional goals for this stage in our life. It has been a remarkable near-decade, but one that is, without doubt, coming to a close.
I am immensely proud of what my dear wife has accomplished and cannot wait to begin this next chapter in our lives not just together, but as a threesome.
We're also quite proud of Mimi. She learned how to use a refrigerator magnet today! Nice work, Mimi. Not quite as good as finishing up nine years of medical education, but you're well on your way!
-Steve
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