Flattered

I just received the following email from a classmate.  I'm totally flattered.  It's a good reminder that the little things we do in our every day life can have a larger positive impact.  A good reminder for all of us, indeed.

"First let me say what a delight it was seeing you in the library last week! I wanted to say thank you for your honesty about failing step 1.  I think so many times as med students we feel such a drive to be perfect, like everyone around us is perfect, and that mistakes and bad days are simply not permitted.  Though I know it was a terrible experience for you, it is a relief to know that someone I respect and admire so much has had a bad day and has continued to thrive and achieve despite that experience.  Your honesty is refreshing and helpful, a reminder that perfection is not achievable.  Thank you for sharing with me.  I hope that it will encourage me to share my own faults with others."

Thank you Dr. Willie J. Parker

Taken from this article, "Why I perform abortions: A Christian obstetrician explains his choice":

"In listening to a sermon by Dr. Martin Luther King, I came to a deeper understanding of my spirituality, which places a higher value on compassion. King said what made the good Samaritan “good” is that instead of focusing on would happen to him by stopping to help the traveler, he was more concerned about what would happen to the traveler if he didn’t stop to help.
I became more concerned about what would happen to these women if I, as an obstetrician, did not help them."

Amen.