The day after Christmas, Robert sat down with Anne, to discuss their future. Anne was touched at the sacrifice Robert was willing to make for them. But she was sad that he had to quit his job.
Robert was going to ask Elizabeth if she'd take over his position as Chief of Surgery. She was the right choice for the job. He knew Kerry was perfect for Chief of Staff, and somehow, being the one controlling whether she was or wasn't given the position, made it easier to pass it on to her.
Over lunch, Robert, Anne, and Elizabeth discussed his decision to retire. Elizabeth accepted his offer, but she would be sad to see him leave. They had made a great team.
Late in the afternoon, Robert paged Kerry to his office. He explained to her that he was going to retire and that the job of Chief of Staff was hers if she wished. Kerry was speechless, but quickly recovered her ability to speak and accepted his offer. He would give notice today, and in two weeks, she would be Chief of Staff.
The next couple of weeks flew by as Anne and Robert packed his office into boxes to take back home with him. He said his goodbyes, and there was even a farewell party for him on his last day. When the party was over, Robert went up to the OR, walked through it one last time, did the same in the ER, and then walked out the door as Chief of Staff at County General Hospital for the final time.
*****
October 15, 2052
This seemed an appropriate place to finish the story. We all know how the story ended, but it was good to see how it began. I have compiled this from the stories told by my father, aunt, and grandparents that I've heard my entire life. Since I have my own decision to make, over which medical school to apply to, I wanted to see what it was like for my grandparents, who were both doctors. From this came their story.
My grandma Anne and grandpa Robert were married in June 2003. My aunt Stephanie was born in April 2004, my dad, Robert Jr., in March 2006. Grandpa Robert took care of the kids while Grandma Anne, and her colleagues, Elizabeth Corday and Kerry Weaver, built a female empire out of County General. It was something to be very proud of. They helped break glass ceilings for all women everywhere, including myself.
I decided to include a lot of information on the Corday's since they remain good family friends. So much so, that Ella is in fact, my godmother.
When my aunt and dad were old enough, they helped their father in his culinary interests, which he developed after retirement from the hospital. They spent hours cooking together, which inspired my father to open his restaurant.
I was born in 2032, into a happy, thriving family. We are very close-knit, all living within blocks of each other. Grandpa Robert took care of the grandchildren as well, so our parents could build careers. He always had such wonderful stories to tell us about our family history which he felt was important to pass on.
Grandpa Robert continued in his role as Santa every year of the Annual Pedes Christmas Party. It was the highlight of his year. He said it always reminded him of when he first realized he loved Grandma Anne. He even got all of us involved in it as well. It has become a lasting family tradition.
My grandmother is 75 and still full of attitude. I thought Grandma Anne might enjoy this story because she's been missing my grandfather terribly since he died in March. He was 93, not a bad age! He lived a full life in those years. They'd been married for 49 years and were very much in love the entire time.
I think it's the combination of both grandparents that has inspired me to enter medical school in a couple of years. Hopefully it will be just as rewarding. I just hope that my story will be as interesting to tell as theirs was.
-Lucy Romano
Robert was going to ask Elizabeth if she'd take over his position as Chief of Surgery. She was the right choice for the job. He knew Kerry was perfect for Chief of Staff, and somehow, being the one controlling whether she was or wasn't given the position, made it easier to pass it on to her.
Over lunch, Robert, Anne, and Elizabeth discussed his decision to retire. Elizabeth accepted his offer, but she would be sad to see him leave. They had made a great team.
Late in the afternoon, Robert paged Kerry to his office. He explained to her that he was going to retire and that the job of Chief of Staff was hers if she wished. Kerry was speechless, but quickly recovered her ability to speak and accepted his offer. He would give notice today, and in two weeks, she would be Chief of Staff.
The next couple of weeks flew by as Anne and Robert packed his office into boxes to take back home with him. He said his goodbyes, and there was even a farewell party for him on his last day. When the party was over, Robert went up to the OR, walked through it one last time, did the same in the ER, and then walked out the door as Chief of Staff at County General Hospital for the final time.
*****
October 15, 2052
This seemed an appropriate place to finish the story. We all know how the story ended, but it was good to see how it began. I have compiled this from the stories told by my father, aunt, and grandparents that I've heard my entire life. Since I have my own decision to make, over which medical school to apply to, I wanted to see what it was like for my grandparents, who were both doctors. From this came their story.
My grandma Anne and grandpa Robert were married in June 2003. My aunt Stephanie was born in April 2004, my dad, Robert Jr., in March 2006. Grandpa Robert took care of the kids while Grandma Anne, and her colleagues, Elizabeth Corday and Kerry Weaver, built a female empire out of County General. It was something to be very proud of. They helped break glass ceilings for all women everywhere, including myself.
I decided to include a lot of information on the Corday's since they remain good family friends. So much so, that Ella is in fact, my godmother.
When my aunt and dad were old enough, they helped their father in his culinary interests, which he developed after retirement from the hospital. They spent hours cooking together, which inspired my father to open his restaurant.
I was born in 2032, into a happy, thriving family. We are very close-knit, all living within blocks of each other. Grandpa Robert took care of the grandchildren as well, so our parents could build careers. He always had such wonderful stories to tell us about our family history which he felt was important to pass on.
Grandpa Robert continued in his role as Santa every year of the Annual Pedes Christmas Party. It was the highlight of his year. He said it always reminded him of when he first realized he loved Grandma Anne. He even got all of us involved in it as well. It has become a lasting family tradition.
My grandmother is 75 and still full of attitude. I thought Grandma Anne might enjoy this story because she's been missing my grandfather terribly since he died in March. He was 93, not a bad age! He lived a full life in those years. They'd been married for 49 years and were very much in love the entire time.
I think it's the combination of both grandparents that has inspired me to enter medical school in a couple of years. Hopefully it will be just as rewarding. I just hope that my story will be as interesting to tell as theirs was.
-Lucy Romano