The year is 2003.

This is the year my life will begin.

I drove down the street to my childhood home. I haven't been home in three years thanks to medical school keeping me busy. But three weeks ago, I graduated from John Hopkins Medical School, and officially became a doctor. Come July, I will be attending a five year surgical residency program here at Brigham Hospital in Boston.

I took a deep breath as I pulled into the driveway of my mother's house. I pulled my key out of the ignition, and got out of the car. I felt like I was stepping out of a time machine, everything about the house still looked the exact same from when we initially moved here 21 years ago. I popped open my trunk, and walked to the back of my car to get one of my many suitcases. I'm planning on living with my mom until I can find a place of my own ideally near the hospital.

As I was bringing my items inside, a car pulled into the driveway of the house next door to mine. I stopped what I was doing, and saw an older woman getting out of the car. She gave me a huge smile when she saw me, and then walked my way.

"Oh my goodness, I don't believe my eyes. Look at you all grown up." When she reached me, she gave me a hug. "Meredith, how have you been? I don't remember the last time you've been home."

"It's been a while. Hi, Mrs. Shepherd."

"Now, I believe your mother told us you were in your last year of medical school?"

"Yes, I just graduated three weeks ago." I smiled.

"Congratulations."

"Thank you."

"What's the plan now that you're graduated?" Mrs. Shepherd asked.

"Well, for the next five years I will be in a residency program at Brigham Hospital. I'll be staying with my mom until I get my own place, so I'll be around quite a bit."

"That's exciting."

"Yes, I'm very excited. I feel like I've worked my whole life to get to this point that it's so unbelievable that I'm finally here. How's the Shepherd clan doing?"

"Oh, well, the three older girls have gotten married and had children. Amy is still in undergrad studying I don't know what. She won't tell us."

"How's Derek?" I asked. I haven't seen nor spoken to him since we broke up six years ago.

"He's doing great. He's also just graduated from medical school at Columbia University. I believe he got into a program at one of the hospitals in New York. Don't quote me on it. I have too many kids to keep tract of what they're doing."

I chuckled. "No worries. Anyways, I should get back to unloading my car. It was nice talking to you."

"It's so nice to have you back. We all have definitely missed seeing you. Oh, why don't you come over for dinner one of these nights?"

"Definitely. I'll let you know when's a good night for me."

"Of course. Just remember, you are still welcomed over anytime."

"Just like old times."

Mom arrived home from her hospital three hours later, just after eight. She greeted me as I sat at the kitchen table eating the dinner I cooked. Yes, I said cook. I told her there was extra on the stove if she wanted some. She joined me shortly later, and made herself a plate.

"What's your plan now?" Mom asked as she sat down across from me.

"What do you mean? I have three weeks until my program begins."

"What are your plans for the next three weeks?"

"I don't know, relax while I have the opportunity to?"

"Don't get too relaxed. You need to stay focused."

I got up from the table, and walked my dirty plate to the kitchen. "Mom, I'm too tired to have this conversation. I drove all day."

"I just want you to be successful, Meredith. I'm proud of you for getting into one of the top programs in the country. But I want you to understand you can't afford to get distracted. Brigham has high standards. It's very competitive."

"I'll be fine. Wanna know why?" I turned around and looked at her. "Because I'm your daughter. You shaped my whole life around this very moment. And look, I'm here. I achieved it. I could have dropped out like I saw many do, but I didn't. I think that says a lot."

"Crack open a book once in a while or watch one of my old surgical tapes, that's all I'm saying."

"Goodnight, mom."

I went up to my old room. Not much about it has changed since I was a teenager. All my posters were still hanging on my wall, my box TV still sat in the middle of my room. I'm pretty sure these sheets haven't been changed since I was last here three years ago.

Under my bed, I pulled out a box that took me down memory lane. I smiled as I looked at old polaroid pictures from my teenage years.

I can't believe I'm already twenty-six. Where did the time go?

Hey Guys! So I decided I'd post the continuation parts I have already written, and we'll see from there if I'll continue depending if I stay interested and you guys are as well. I'll also be changing the title of the story to "Yesterday and Today".

Now for the topic of this story. Meredith had just graduated from med school. She moves back home to attend residency at Brigham Hospital in Boston. She starts to question her life choices, and wonders whether going to med school to be a surgeon was her decision or she went because of her mother.

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