Graduation Ceremony....kind of...

Dad's back and we're all loving it!

I have never enjoyed the "graduation" ceremony that the residency program does for it's senior residents. I'd say it's more of a dinner party with a brief mention that two of them are now done with this five year program. O.K...thanks for coming.

I always hoped it would be somewhat better by the time Jay finished and in a way, it was. It was held in the same country club where it is held every year, and the layout and food was exactly the same from previous years. What was different, was that I was emotionally involved this time, had some good friends there to support Jay, and my boys to watch and make sure were behaving themselves. All in all...it was a hit.

The main difference from other graduation ceremonies is that they don't get a "degree" when they finish their residency. They get a certificate from the program or hospital but it's nothing like getting hooded with their doctors of medicine at the completion of med school. THAT is a big deal. But, in some ways, most ways, I think, residency is even harder than medical school. All the call, all the learning of independence, all the mandatory hours -- it can be brutal. I know some programs make a bigger deal at the end.

Jay's program is small. There are only two radiology residents accepted each year. We've absolutely loved it and it was definitely the best place for us to be and the place we wanted to be. But, with only two residents going out, it doesn't make sense, financially or logistically, to put on an elaborate ceremony. So, they rent out a country club, have a grand buffet (yummy) and then present the residents with their certificates, a gift card for somewhere (Jay got one for REI), a nice wind golf shirt with the hospital's logo and then let each of them talk for a few minutes. Then it's over.

Sammy was a star. I was so impressed that a four year old could be so well behaved.

Jay told me several weeks ago that he really wanted our boys to be there. I cringed. Love, love my boys, but managing them at a buffet in a country club where there would be no other children didn't sound like the night I'd imagined. I could see in his eyes that it was important to him, though, so compromised by having Seth and Sam come and getting a sitter for wild Henry. Then we had practice dinners all week. I realized a major failing of not having regular sit down dinners as a family is that they don't have really good table manners ingrained when you need them to be. They've always been great at restaurants but there they have color crayons and booklets and usually some crackers or bread to munch on. And a booth where Jay and I can lock them in by sitting on the outside.

Each night, I pointed out what needed to improve ("Quieter voice, Sammy. Get your knees down, Seth. Don't pick up your salad with your fingers, Sammy. Somebody get Henry off the top of his highchair before he falls off.") Then, I pulled out my ace. Bribing them with a NASCAR toy we found at Wal-Mart last week. By the week's end, they were as excited about their performance as I was.

We skipped the cocktail hour. We've learned by experience it's not all that exciting to mingle with ten other people for an hour. We got there right as they were playing the xylophone indicating that dinner was ready. Perfect. I loaded the boys plates up with more than they could possibly eat and then went back and loaded up with yummy fruit, really good veggies (why can good restaurants make vegetables better than my main courses. Delicious!) and the best salmon I've ever had.

Our dinner table. Just like the cruise - except for the younglings.

Even Jay found something to eat. They had prime rib, which Jay said was really good. I happen to not like bloody meat.

Jay invited Jason and Andrea and Chad and KariAnn because they really have been like our family these last five years. As we were going through the buffet, memories of our cruise came flooding back (if you've ever been on a cruise, eating is seriously half of the trip) and the nostalgia started seeping in. Jason and Andrea did the coolest thing for Jay which I'll post about later. It was a very cool surprise. I can't believe we are going to be "long-distance friends" in a little over a week. We have GOT to stop adding to our list. You'd think we'd be used to it by now, but it still stinks. We all sat together at a round table and the boys did wonderfully. People either didn't notice they were there, because they were so well behaved, or commented on how good they were being. NASCAR mission accomplished.

After dinner, the program director started the program, but she's only been the program director for six months, so turned it over the the man who Jay and the other resident, Marc, really had as a mentor for the past five years.

Dr. Murray with Jay and Marc. I love how far apart everyone is. Classic man behavior.

He didn't talk for long, but what he said was heartfelt and had a lot of meaning to Jay. He said they've had some incredible residents throughout the years he's been involved with the program but Jay and Marc, they were the best. He told the other residents who were there that they had big shoes to fill. Then he presented each of them with their certificates and gifts, presented Jay with his chief resident plaque, and turned the time over to them.

I made how many schedules and went to how many extra meetings and all I got was this lousy plaque? Kidding. It's beautiful and it was thoughtful to give him something. Being chief is kind of a thankless job. WAY more glamorous on the TV shows.

Jay with his framed certificate.

Jay spoke first. He is a sensitive soul, which is my absolute favorite thing about him, but hates getting emotional in front of people he wouldn't normally let see that side of him. He struggled, especially when he mentioned the boys and me, but made his way through it, thanking everyone for helping him and being the diplomatic, good guy that he is.

Thanking everyone. He's so handsome. I love this guy.

Who doesn't love the "Awwww" moment when two fine young boys run up to congratulate their daddy?

Afterwards, I let the boys go around picking all the confetti off the tables (it kept them occupied) and chatted with some of the other people there. It was a good night and I think it was a important milestone for Jay to go through.

Jason, Andrea, me, Jay, KariAnn and Chad. We've had some great memories!

Of course, he still has to go back to work on Monday. How retarded is that? Thanks for the good times and hard work! We'll always remember you!

Oh...hi again. Didn't we just send you off?

He'll work until the 20th. Then we load and haul.

Tomorrow, it's back to Wal-Mart for the prizes. It's Jay's birthday. It's Emily's birthday. I've got my entire house to pack up. It's going to be a busy week.