To Respond Always

May 30th … graduation day at last. The ceremony was moved inside at the last minute because of rain. The exercises began with the speaker's suggestion to find a niche in medicine for which we had a passion. Her passion for her own work was evident, encouraging. The candidates were presented. We became doctors, our degree stating, “… with all the rights, privileges and honors, as well as the obligations and responsibilities …”

“Responsibilities” grabbed me. While we were reciting the Physician's Oath, I heard it again: “to respond always.” Benediction … recessional … then the search through the crowd to find my family. After accepting their congratulations, my wife and I excused ourselves to pick up our young children from a friend's house. On the way, we were talking about the events of the evening when we passed several stopped vehicles. My wife said, “Someone's …