To Speak For Oneself
He was two years old and we were at the pediatric clinic for his well child check-up. Nurse Joy reached out for my baby boy and he for her. Everyone was all smiles and giggles. The few preliminaries done, it was time for the doctor. Out walked Nurse Joy with waves and flying kisses, in walks the pediatrician with the stillness of a thoughtful leader which she was. Doctor Mann was the chairman of pediatrics in the medical school, for this was a teaching hospital's clinic. She reviewed the nurse's notes with me and proceeded to ask me questions about my little guy. It was a small exam room, I suppose for the small people, so the doctor could stand between me and my baby boy who was sitting quietly on the exam bench while we were both next to him. Isaac tapped Dr. Mann on the shoulder, "Isaac is here," he said. She stopped looking at me as she stopped talking with me. She turned to look at my baby, "Oh, should I be asking you these questions?" she said moving her reading glasses to the tip of her nose while getting a better look at this tiny guy. All business now my son said, "yes," as manly as a two year old could muster. The interview and exam continued, now between the doctor and the baby. I sat there watching and listening to my son conduct himself with purpose and responsibility while looking at his toes. He just would not look at the doctor after the initial "yes". Dr. Mann was all business and so was Isaac as they approached the final question, "Are you a happy baby?" With a sober face and eyes firmly gazing still at his toes the answer was, "yes". Dr. Mann turned to me, "you have a happy child" she said with a smile and a laugh.
