Not many people get a chance to make a different decision, a second chance. Eighteen years ago Steve and I decided to give up the military life for two reasons. We had so much student loan debt and Steves military salary just wasnt enough to get us out of that hole. We also had a 4-year-old daughter and in her first 4 years we had moved six times. I was a little leery about moving a child around that much, and so, with a great deal of reluctance, Steve separated from the Army after being promoted to Major. He was the teaching chief at a large, respectable Army Medical Center. He was really treasured for his surgical skills and teaching skills and his love of duty and the military way of life. Even so, we left Fort Lewis and Madigan Army Medical Center behind for a quiet life on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Truly, raising Sarah here in Cambridge I think has been the biggest pay-off we could hope for. Such a small town with a truly unique, quiet way of life. I always felt Sarah was safe and I knew that no matter what happened to her or where it happened to her, someone she knew would be close by to take care of her until Steve or I could get to her. And so, about six months ago, when Steves life took a really interesting turn, we began to consider a life of commitment and duty again. Steve had been contacted by the Army and the Air Force regarding open podiatry positions within those branches. We were really skeptical at first. It had been 18 years. He had a very successful private practice. We love the Eastern Shore. But then we began thinking....maybe we had gotten what we came for and accomplished our goals for that phase of our life. Maybe going back into the military wasnt such a crazy idea after all. Maybe this was a second chance and it came at a time when we could take it with a clear conscience, knowing we wouldnt be moving Sarah all over the place and disrupting her life. Steve truly does have a special skill set for all you skeptics who wonder why the military could possibly be interested in a 50-year-old man. He has administrative skills, surgical skills, and command skills. Patients are always remarking about how Steve runs the tightest ship around. And so, if youve read Stephen Wilkinsons earlier post you will know that this is something we are considering seriously. We wont know for another two weeks to a month if it is possible. But he has made it over the initial hurdles and is before review higher up the chain of command. There of course is an equal chance that this is just a dream and that even though there are positions open, he may not be the soldier they are looking for. We will see. But in order to be available for this opportunity, we had to make Steves practice safe for the future. And we have done a fabulous job of finding someone that we believe truly is the same sort of man and podiatrist that Steve is. And so, we sold Steves practice to Dr. Kevin Thomas of Salisbury, MD. The fabulous news is that Steve is a member of this practice now too, just not the owner. He will continue to work in Cambridge and see patients the same way he has for close to 18 years. We are really excited about whatever comes our way now, if the military calls Steve back or if we stay here in Cambridge a bit longer. Its all good. Im so proud of Steve for taking the chances he takes and making such good decisions. He hated leaving the military but now, if he cant return to active duty it wont be because he didnt try. And I know that he will be really, really happy with the future laid out before him here in Cambridge. I love you Steve; Im so very proud of you. Youre very brave and I cant thank you enough for making the tough decision to leave the Army 18 years ago. It was a big personal sacrifice, and I hope that life gives you that second chance at the brass ring! But no matter where you go or what you do, Ill be right there beside you.
Posted on: Fri, 24 Oct 2014 15:13:34 +0000
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