Friday, August 8, 2014

Thank you. Thank you very much.




 This has been my self-authored writing mantra:


Write it down. Get it out. Out of your head and onto some paper. Or onto a keyboard and then into a computer.  Or something or somewhere. Just out. Out. Whatever it is. However it seems. Good. Bad. Random. Joyful. Painful. Process it. Explore it. Excavate it. Deconstruct it. Reconstruct it. Get it. Learn it. Honor it. Feel it. Master it. Hold it. Release it. Celebrate it. Love it. Forgive it. Be it. Live it.
Or do none of those things.

But whatever you do, just write.



For five years, that is what I have done. I have laughed myself sick. I have cried from the most primal places in my soul. I've pushed my mind to better understand my world, my thoughts, my day, and, as a result, myself. I have.

 And you.

You've been with me. You've held my hand when I felt afraid. You've laughed with me instead of at me when I danced like no one was watching. And, on most days, you've even jumped out there and danced, too. You have.





For five years. And here is the God's honest truth:

I am forever changed. For the better. I am. I am. I am.

Like Toni Morrison said after she penned her masterpiece "The Bluest Eye". . . Why did she write it? So that she could read it. Yes. That. I've let myself adopt this philosophy, too.

But.

Were it not for you, this community of thinkers and feelers, reading these words and reflecting with me, I know that it wouldn't have been the same. So this isn't just my lonely place to write words for my own eyes. I know it isn't.

I mean, when my sister passed away? And I turned to this place to explode my overwhelming grief? When I was searching and searching for a way to walk into a new normal? You listened. You came and you read. And it was you who loaned me your wings on those days when I was flying on one. You gave me the courage to honor my sister and this journey in my own way and also a place to chronicle a time that I knew was pivotal. You did.

But you have also celebrated with me. Every step of the way. You've listened to my medical nerd stories and random observations. Allowed me to indulge you with the back seat shenanigans of my children, a husband so gagworthily called "The B.H.E." (that I'm perpetually crushing on), and even went for the ride to my crazy visits to grocery stores and Target.

Yes, you have. And it's been about so much more than Grady Hospital. But you've been okay with that.



You even read about The Puppy Mafia. Ha!


And so. Maybe I started writing here so that I could read it. But because of what you've given me, I know that a piece of me also keeps coming here so that we can read it.

It has been a dream, my friends. It has. And this idea of you--you busy people--reading these words over and over and over again? It will always be a big deal to me.



Always.

So thank you. Thank you very much.  As the Grady elders say, "I 'preciate you."

I mean that.

Sincerely,

Kimberly
aka gradydoctor

***
Happy 5 year anniversary, Reflections of a Grady Doctor!

34 comments:

  1. I know exactly what you mean. Isn't it a miraculous blessing beyond imagination?
    Happy anniversary! Much love from Florida.

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    1. Love right back at you from Georgia. Thank you, Sister Moon.

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  2. Thank you Dr. Kim, it's been a pleasure reading here and sharing in your life and thoughts, and just like you said, sometimes hilarious, sometimes ugly-cry worthy. I'm so glad I found your voice and your light and this community here on my computer. I hope you never stop writing it out.
    xo

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    1. I appreciate you, Mel. You've been such an encouragement. You also prompted me to add the "at least one tear" button. :)

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  3. Congrats on the 5 year anniversary of your blog! Although I am a fairly new subscriber, I do enjoy your writing and find it both interesting and inspirational. Thank YOU for sharing bits of your life with us readers.

    Derin A.
    www.curveballsandmedschool.com

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    1. Welcome and thank you, Derin. LOL at you wearing a 27 piece weave!

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  4. The appreciation is mutual! Rock on and love from Vermont!

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    1. Ooooohhhh! Vermont? I've never been there. But now I have a friend there! Yay!

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  5. Kimberly, it is an honor to be here, reading you, living life alongside you, watching your wise and tender boys grow and become ever more themselves, getting to know your beautiful family, swooning over your love story, your handsome wholesome king of a man, your joys and your heartbreaks, and your passion and commitment to your work and the people of Grady. It is a honor to be here and to know you, and because of you, I, too, am forever changed. Thank you, dear Kimberly. Such love.

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    1. I could write ten paragraphs about you right now but won't. All I will say is that meeting you has been one of the very best parts of this blog. I am determined to see you in person next time I come to the Big Apple. And the husband, too, because I am equally intrigued by him and a huge fan. I hope your mom is well and that you are, too. Such love, indeed.

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  6. Happy 5th blog anniversary! I enjoy all your posts and hope someday your writing about your patients & Grady are gathered into a book. (Because you've got nothin' goin' on right? lol)

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  7. Happy anniversary! I'm so happy to have found your place.
    Here's to many more years (and a book!)!

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  8. I've just recently started reading your blog and I really enjoy it. You have such empathy for life and for others that it glows from the pages. Congratulations on a 5 year anniversary and may you share with us for many more. Thanks!!

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    1. I appreciate you reading, Georgia. I truly do.

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  9. Whew....I thought you were going to say you were stopping blogging!!....I think I have been reading for about 4 years...enjoyed every post!

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    1. No, ma'am! I'm still here. I need you guys to stay sane. So thanks for the free therapy. ;)

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  10. I am a recent reader of your writings. I have been since I accidentally stumbled onto your blog looking for something else.  But then realizing as I read your experiences maybe I was looking and just didn't know until I found it. Was is IT?  Your positivity. Your view. Your HEART you put into every post. No matter what it's about. So much heart. And realizing that although I am almost 2000 miles away (Arizona...yeah its HOT) I feel a kindred spirit. Thank you for your posts. They make me a better person for having read them. Happy anniversary and many more! JMM

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    1. JMM--I love the idea of finding a kindred spirit through writing. Your kind words and the time you spend reading here are deeply appreciated. With gratitude, Kimberly

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  11. Happy anniversary my friend! XOXO
    Alicia

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  12. HAPPY BLOGAVERSARY!!!
    Thank you for creating this space... It keeps me close to you even though we're far apart.

    I love you, Miz!!!

    XOXO,
    Biz

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    1. Bizzy B! You know you keep me going, girl. Love my baby sister like Isaiah and his Granddaddy love sweets. (And that's a WHOLE LOT!)

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  13. Well, happy blogaversary to my favorite doctor in the universe.I have loved coming here whenever you post to read about your job, your insights, your family, your smashing marriage, your dear parents, your beloved siblings and sorority sisters, those fabulous people where you get your hair done -- the list goes on. But you know what, most of all? You've blessed me in more ways than one because of your honesty and generosity in sharing your life as a physician -- telling your stories to me, a woman who is not a little hardened against the medical world. I have grown a little more in understanding, in tolerance, in knowledge. So, thank you!

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    1. Well damn. First of all, you have seen many, many doctors so I know what that compliment means. It touches me deeply and kind of made my eyeballs sting. Second of all, you know how much of a fan I am of you and your writing. You are brilliant. Just brilliant. And brave. And just. . .cool, man. So knowing that someone like you digs someone like me makes me feel like I have arrived. Thank you for being you, Elizabeth.

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  14. Happy blogaversary! I'm always super proud of you. Thanks for taking us along on your journey...it makes ours more fulfilled.

    Love you LS,
    Michele

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    1. Thank you, Michele. I will always be grateful for the day you walked to my grandmother's house with me and took those pictures of me talking to her. I will cherish them for the rest of my life. It was one of my last conversations with her and, thanks to you, I have it captured in images.

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  15. Late but happy blogaversary! When I started reading this post, I thought it was a farewell. I'm so relieved that you'll still be around. Even though I don't comment often, I enjoy coming to your 'hood.
    - Bridgette

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  16. I am catching up on my blog reading from the past couple of weeks & saw this one. OMG where do I start? For the past few years you have been such a source of joy & inspiration in my life. Your tales of medicine, family, & work-life balance have made me think a little more, see things a little clearer, CRY the ugly cry & most of all LOL quite often. From the days I am mad at you for sending me into the ugly cry, to the days I am more mad at my self for not sticking to the S.J.G.R. Concept, I am grateful. I relate to so many of the things you say & was humbled by our meeting this year & experiencing your knowledge & wisdom firsthand. You are my Shero & a Ruth from afar & I thank God for you & you just "keep on keepin' on!" Happy blogiversary! Sonya M of TN

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"Tell me something good. . . tell me that you like it, yeah." ~ Chaka Khan

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