Something Has to Give

We were a different breed of multitaskers.

Back in the "early" days of the late 30's, we women doctors were alive and well and actively practicing in large cities and small, family practitioners and specialists. We were a different breed of multitaskers. There were no cell phones to hold perpetually to our ears. There were only stationary telephones for emergencies. And there was the quaint custom of staying close to sick patients. At times doctors actually sat beside laboring women, observing, having no monitors or nurses' notes to which to refer.

Of course, there were interests outside medical practice-like club and committee meetings. There was an office construction with a combative contractor who set up studs that threatened planned file spaces, installed a useless type of sink and built stairs that anyone, let alone pregnant women, would have trouble climbing. Those problems made for hectic hours.

Then there were family priorities involving children. Some tasks had to be omitted and medical practice had to slow down. Was that bad? What was most important? How much could be handled? The children were assigned caretakers, which was not always ideal.

Pregnancies carried to within a few weeks of delivery did not improve efficiency and I kept them secret until they were obvious. I was not proud of crowding many different kinds of jobs into a day. Eventually I made a choice-retiring from active practice. I watched my children learn to read and grow. There were few bragging rights but considerable self-satisfaction in that role.

Now I have a cell phone for emergencies. It is not foolproof because I tend to forget to check its batteries. However, I shall never hold it constantly to my ear. I still try to complete one errand before moving on to the next, and there is usually calm by the end of the day. Doesn't the Bible say, "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof"?

Last Easter, I drove home by myself along J Street after an early family breakfast. There was almost no traffic. A bicycler in the approaching lane suddenly veered directly in front of me! He glided to the center of my lane and came straight at me! I couldn't believe it! What in the world was he doing? He stared at me and smirked. Was he daring me to hit him? With no other traffic at this early hour, I turned into the oncoming lane to avoid him. Was he trying for an accident? For a free Easter dinner in the hospital?

Whatever-I was the one who gave way. I was shocked and trembling a little, but the need to move out of the way brought to mind the other times I had to give, when my course of living had to change and when the change was sensible.

ebr8809@aol.com