Hi Everyone,
In our family, Christmas Eve is the main event, a legacy of Heide’s German heritage. Yesterday, Gabrielle and Francesca spent 14 hours—fourteen!—preparing a multi-course feast, a gift to all, but especially to Chef Heide who craves respite from the kitchen. The menu is a mystery: when I arrived home yesterday, I found a goose thawing in the kitchen, and I learned Heide bought oyster knives, so I sense what’s coming, including an hour of shucking.
When the girls were small, my father-in-law Konny and I used to load them into the car after dinner to tour the “lights of Hamden.” While we cruised up and down Ridge Road and Hartford Turnpike, Santa would swoop into our family room, leaving piles of presents beneath the tree to open upon our return. These days, Santa is more subdued, but the magic still shines.
I’ve already placed my gifts to Heide and the girls beneath the tree. Who knows what’s coming my way? Mets gear? Bike stuff? Concert tickets? Wooly socks? I’m up for any surprise.
But I’ve already received a wonderful gift from all of you: day after day—more like Hanukkah, actually—you delight me with your devotion to medicine, your patients, and each other. Your kindness fills my heart every day, now and throughout the year. There’s no gift more magical.
Wishing joy, peace, and a Merry Christmas to all who celebrate, from the FIG Sisters (Francesca, Isabella, and Gabrielle), Heide, and yours truly,
Mark
P.S. It’s time for our annual Happy New Year Project, celebrating the many languages spoken in our program. How does your family say “Happy New Year?” Portuguese? Spanish? Chinese? Akan Twi? Hebrew? Arabic? Farsi? French? Urdu? Hindi? Punjabi? Tamil? German? Italian? Greek? Turkish? Amharic? All these languages and more are spoken in our residency. Share your greeting by next Monday evening so we can welcome the New Year with a global celebration!
P.P.S. Friday morning, we’re driving to Canada to sample delicious food in Montreal and Quebec. Program Director’s Notes will return on January 1st!
P.P.P. S. What I’m reading:
- The Gift of the Magi By O. Henry
- Four thoughts about living in reality By Oliver Burkeman
- What Your Loved Ones With Dementia Are Picking Up On By Patti Davis
- I Teach College Students How to Argue With Their Families By Mark Edmundson
- A Tale of Love and Darkness By Amos Oz