MSUCOM = Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

This is Andy’s school and I’m more thankful than ever that he was accepted into their program.

It’s top notch, people.

I’ll never forget getting the good news just before Christmas last year.  We were absolutely OVER THE MOON that he was accepted into his top choice school.  It was probably the best Christmas present we’ll ever get.

I knew that MSU had one of the best D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) programs in the country, but it wasn’t until I’d had a few encounters at his campus that I really started to understand just how special this program really is.

For starters, I was super impressed with the people and information presented at the orientation meeting we went to in the spring.  Everyone was so friendly and engaging and I loved learning how an Osteopathic approach adds a very personal and holistic approach to traditional medicine.  Every single student and faculty member was warm, sincere and likeable.  I was expecting to feel a little intimidated but it was so completely opposite of that.

Then, Grace and I made a trip out to Andy’s campus in the fall to meet his study buddies and bring a batch of chocolate chip cookies to share with them.  Each one of them was incredibly kind, friendly and outgoing.  I was caught off guard by how nice and down-to-earth they all were.  I mean these are super smart medical students.  I imagined cut-throat, competitive, bookworm/antisocial types and again my expectation was totally wrong.  These were wonderful people who were honestly excited to know Andy and to meet his family.  They gushed over Grace and ooh’d and aah’d over the homemade cookies.  Both Grace and I were sent off with hugs and well wishes.  It made me so happy to know that Andy is surrounded by such awesome people and that his classmates are “for each other”.

That day I also met a couple of the doctors on the teaching staff and they were just as great as everyone else.  They were happy to meet Grace and I and they made sure to tell me how impressed they are with Andy and his performance.  Talk about being a proud wife…I was so touched by their kind comments.

This week we were invited to participate in one of Andy’s classes.  It was a lecture on Pediatrics and the doctor running the class asked Andy if he’d be willing to have Grace come out to be a special guest.  Of course I jumped at the opportunity to help out and visit Andy and his friends at school!

Grace and I arrived on campus just before 1:30 which just so happens to be nap time.  I said a quick prayer on the drive out that God would give us a good visit and that Grace wouldn’t be too tired or cranky to carry out her “guest of honor” role.  Turns out I had nothing to worry about…she was a champ!

We came into the room shortly after the lecture started and the doctor in charge greeted us both, said how adorable he thought Grace was and made sure to comment on her stuffed lion toy which of course made her very happy :)

We sat in the back of the room for a few minutes to get our coats off and make Grace feel comfortable before putting her up front on display.  While we were getting settled, the doctor was talking about how to handle pediatric visits especially with young children.  He emphasized how strong and special the bond between mother and child is and that it was best to make both mom and child part of the visit for best results.  I nearly teared up while he was talking about how mothers know their children head to toe and inside and out and how the child sees their mother as being their whole world.  Call it pregnancy hormones or whatever, but I had to fight back tears! Lol

When it was time for us to head up to the exam table at the front of the room, Grace happily grabbed her lion and skipped up to the front.  We both sat on the table and started talking with the doctor.

A few words about him…I can’t even tell you how wonderful he was with both of us!  We felt special and important and he knew just how to connect with each of us.  He asked Grace lots of questions about her shoes and her lion and her favorite things and he had me share things with the class about my birth experience and parenting style and my relationship with Grace.  He paid us sincere compliments throughout the interview and was so gentle and interactive with Grace during the brief “exam” that he gave her.

Grace did so well.  She didn’t fuss and she answered all of his questions (albeit in a whisper much of the time even though she’s my loud and chatty little buddy normally!).  She was allowed to hold onto his “flashlight” (aka Otoscope)  and she perfectly followed all of his instructions like blowing on the Otoscope so that he could hear her lung sounds while he had the Stethoscope on her back.

A small group of students was selected to come up to the front to listen to her heart and lungs too and she was just as cooperative for all of them.

I found out from Andy that after we left, the doctor told the class they’d just had the best pediatric exam they’d probably ever have because Grace was so perfectly behaved.  I’ve got to admit that it made my mama heart swell with pride :)

I know that kids are totally unpredictable and she just as well could have melted down in front of everyone, but I was so happy that we had such a nice visit and that she participated so well which allowed the class to get a real life peek at pediatrics rather than just working on dolls.

On our way out, the doctor gave me a thank you note for taking the time to come out (and when I opened it there were 2 Meijer gift cards inside! how sweet is that?!) and he asked Grace for a hug which she gladly gave him along with a kiss.  He was so surprised at the affection and let us know that she made his week.

The whole experience made my week too!  I’m so happy that Andy is being taught and mentored by such phenomenal doctors and that he’s surrounded by such wonderful classmates.  I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is where he is meant to be and that the education he’s receiving is setting him up to be a phenomenal doctor.

I’m beyond thankful that God had a plan for us even when I was fiercely impatient and bitter about how long it took us to get here.  THIS is His perfect timing and experiences like the ones I’ve had at Andy’s school remind me of that in such a powerful way.