Here is my son Seth Foster's essay I had found in a folder along with his drawing of "Jesus Dying on the Cross." (The Embrace the Cross image.) He is also the one who kindly built "Embrace the Cross Website and Blog for me.
Written in August 2010,
The water, up to my waist, flowed past me swiftly, daring to pull me along with it. I
stood strong , pole in hand, ready to cast. to my left , a noisy disturbance in the water
shot a stream of droplets high above its surface, catching the rays of a setting sun as
they fell. without hesitation, I threw the line in that direction. The lure, bright with
color, dropped through the surface of the water. I reeled quickly, but nothing. A second
throw , but again, an empty line. As I continued on, the tree shadows began to grow.
The skies were darkening; time was running out. Under my breath, a murmur saying,
"One last cast, one last cast". I pressed on.
Often it seems that one is defined by an accumulation of their life experiences. Like
water in a river, my experiences flow around me, attempting to pull me along. It seems
natural to want to cling to those experiences; to cast out to the more meaningful ones.
although hard to pinpoint the river's start in my life, it certainly began with my parents.
My father was a craftsman, and my mother, a homemaker. Brought up in rural --------,
my glimpse into the professional world, let alone medicine, was limited at best. sure,
my background did not acquaint me with academics. But my parents knew how to love,
and how to encourage me to pursue scholarship. So with that , I entered a university.
This was uncharted territory for my family, and it meant that we would be facing the
unknown. But this was an opportunity, not a hindrance . Skip ahead three years and
here I stand. My ideas have been put to the test. My faith, protested . I have beaten old
challenges and acquired new ones. I have spoken with professors, physicians and
priests. The past few years have been an expansion of thought and understanding, all
while retaining my childhood values. I have been molded to better serve myself, and
more importantly, my society. But the waters do not cease here. I wish to continue my
education in medicine, a field that aligns well with my interests. Medicine will exemplify
my strengths and chip away at weaknesses. In this field I will have the chance to
represent those with a similar background as myself. It will provide an environment
where I can introduce my own values and talents to help advance the medical care for
many communities. and most importantly it is my will to grow as person that gives me
the confidence to pursue a career in medicine.
"One last cast". My line tightened and my pole lunged forward , followed by a
terrifyingly strong pull. "I've found you."
My journey toward medicine has been one of discovery. Last May, I traveled to
Honduras as part of a medical brigade. I remember approaching our first village and
thinking "These people, they live with nothing." Nearly one thousand patients and
three days later, it was solace to know that at least we had provided them with medical
care. More gratifying was my individual role in their treatment, primarily consisting
blood-pressure checks, recording patient symptoms , and filling prescriptions. There was
always a task to fill, with little breaks in between, but on the second day I was able to
stop for just a moment to witness an inspiring event.
after a day of dry heat, a gentle storm was more than welcoming. But any calm the rain
had provided was interrupted in the next moments. four men had burst through door,
carrying a young man, and laid him down. The sudden jerks of his body indicated a
seizure. The doctor, quick to respond, entered only moments later. There was no
procedure to follow, no medication to give. We could only wait. Yet, the doctor bent
over the boy, touching one knee to the ground. He removed a piece of his own cloth,
placing it under the boy's head. He held the boy's wrist with one hand, and gently held
the head still with the other. he was saying something to the boy, but softly, for no one
else could hear. A remarkable moment , I remember thinking . This was exactly what I
thought a good doctor should do. But to witness it first hand, to be in the same room, it
provided a new perspective. One that I think was missing. Medicine is more than a
diagnosis. It is providing a warm touch and words of comfort. Sometimes it is just to
remain at their side, as this doctor had done. This is the type of role I wish to fulfill with
a career in medicine.
Although a clinical setting provides-patient insight, it is at home that I **
Recently I had a conversation with my younger brother. And although he is nearly seven
years old, it was one of our first. He was having difficulty speaking, and I could hear my
mother in the background helping him. But I could also hear the enthusiasm in his
voice, and how much his speech had improved. I was very proud of him ! My brother's
name is Isaac, and a few years ago he was diagnosed with autism. As a family, we have
made great efforts to help my brother grow. We have researched and talked with physicians.
We know how to help. But more importantly, we know how to have faith.
To know that no matter the situation, things can become better. The unknown is
terrifying at times, but can be faced with perseverance, to cast into the waters again
and again. The reward will always come.
Dear Reader, My son Seth has an Bachelors degree in Neuroscience and
Computer Science. He is the one that kindly built the Embrace The Cross'
website for me on April 12, 2015. It was also the date of "Divine Mercy Sunday."
His profession is a Software Engineer . My son Isaac is the
youngest of my children and is a Senior now. He will be graduating this year 2022.
Feb. 16th My Given Vision of (Jesus Dying on the Cross)
