To the Editor:
What a week this has been! {Written Sat. night, Sept. 22}. Our heartfelt prayers go out to those so tragically bereaved -- may they be deeply comforted ! And our thankful prayers go up -- for the hundreds of times we all travel our highways, and are given safe passage !
Also difficult to process -- was the deeply offensive diatribe against the majority Voters of Crowfoot in last week's Capital !
But then there was this evening out at Kiever's Lake...... what a Community balm in these troubled times! (Abraham Lincoln's outlook came to mind -- "If I were to read, much less answer, all of the negative mail that comes across my desk....... there would be scant time left for the affairs of office ! ")
So let's bless your readers this week, Mr. Editor, with tonight's positive remarks by our esteemed local physician, in his humble response to the many accolades, and to his receiving the top Provincial Award in his field! A great example to our young people! Worthwhile words for all of us to ponder...........!! {Used by permission.}
"Response to RPAP Award Ceremony: September 22, 2012:
When I heard I was to receive this award, one of my first thoughts was a quotation from the Apostle Paul to the church at Corinth "What do you have that you did not receive?"
My mind went to all the people who have deeply impacted my life. As Ann and I have literally sailed the "seven seas" during our time in Africa, I let my thoughts crystallize around 7 C's:
1. (Those who) Conceived me: Parents who taught me a strong work ethic, a firm spiritual foundation, generosity, integrity and a desire to serve others in their need.
2. (Those who) Coached & Challenged me: the teachers who invested time, energy and encouragement in a poor immigrant boy. One coached me to turn from research physics to health care. Another challenged me to NOT give up when all I had worked for seemed to be falling apart.
3. Colleagues: Throughout my career, I have been surrounded by wonderful colleagues: in Nigeria, in High Level and in Three Hills. They have supported me, taught me and made me look better than I really was. I have been incredibly blessed.
4. Communities - time after time I have had the privilege of living in communities which gave themselves to support their physicians and take up the slack during difficult times. Thank you, leaders of the Town of Three Hills and Kneehill County for stepping up at critical times.
5. Co-workers: Staff in hospital and clinic who willingly did the mundane work so I could do what I am passionate about - helping sick people become healthy. I have so appreciated the sacrificial support of hospital staff, administration and our clinic staff.
6. Clients: Patients who trusted me with their lives and their most painful emotions. They have taught me so much that I never learned in medical school.
7. (My) Companion & Children: Thank you Ann, my wife of 44 years and my three daughters: Ann, you paid a high personal price, when we had small children in Nigeria and when our girls were young teenagers in High Level. You continue to support my return trips to Nigeria even though your eyesight is failing. You pray for and encourage me daily. Thank you, my daughters for forgiving me for missing many of your special events. Thank you for convincing me to stop trying to read my medical journals while you were talking to me. The families of rural physicians do pay a price for the workload of their physician parent.
Now I have covered the 7 C's, but there is still one more that I cannot neglect to mention, one that surpasses them all:
- Christ: who has been my unparalleled role model. He is the GREAT physician whose life, death and resurrection give meaning and purpose to all that I am able to do. He energizes me and gives me hope when things look overwhelming, as they have at a number of points in my life.
So my encouragement to all of you, looking back on my 66 years of life and 43 years as a physician: Put your hand in Christ's hand and He will bring you through hard times to your destination. I thank you all for coming out tonight and sharing in this special event. This is mostly not about what I have done, but about God's grace to this community and the privilege we have, of enriching each other's lives. We are immensely blessed. Thank you.
Martin Reedyk."
So -- hats off in appreciation to Martin & Ann and their family!
Now -- what will the coming week hold ??
All eyes on Israel........ and prayers for the peace of Jerusalem !!
Allen Armbruster
