Dear Mr. Nelson

Happy Thanks Giving day to you and your family sir Richard! Regards to your wife and sons--Gwapo and Pogi.

I am writing this letter to inform you that I will be receiving my diploma as a doctor of medicine 3 months from now. You may not remember me anymore so let me introduce my self. I was your intern at the Philippine Orthopedic Institute when you were having physical therapy for your cervical spondylosis & rotator cuff tendinitis on the 11th month of the year 2008.

Four years ago, on the same occasion, we had this conversation about Thanks giving dinner, turkeys, mashed potato and blue berries that escalated to how restless & work oriented people are in the US which led us to the topic of making the most of the opportunities & finally, pursuing your dreams. I just want you to know that I have made that decision--to go for what I really want and not just settle for what's available and comfortable. 2 weeks after our conversation, the last one at that, I took the NMAT and I was on the 96th percentile. Remember how many times I told you "I don't see my self as a therapist"? I still don't. And I remember how you "analyzed" me: I think you already know what you want, you've already decided. You're just making excuses. I know, I can see, even when I'm not looking at you (he was facing away from me 'cause I was ultra sounding his neck & shoulders) that you'll make a good doctor. i my self don't see you as a therapist! you seem like the kind of person who would do anything to get what you want. so what the hell are you waiting for?

That was the kind of pressure I needed to finally put an end to my misery--to Med or not to Med. I was bedazzled as to how you were able to read me, you've put into words exactly what I was thinking. Your words were borderline confidence-booster to peer-pressure-ish. You were subtle but I can feel it, and we both know, that you were pushing me to settle on going into med school as soon as possible! And that has uplifted that part of me that was dying to be an MD. You literally and figuratively rubbed it in my face that no one except for myself can decide and choose the way to my future, to my contentment, to my happiness. And for that I want to thank you sir Ric. If it wasn't for that pressing and "hemorrhaging" conversation, I'd still be lingering over the what ifs of my life.

We didn't have the luxury of time to really get to know each other but I tell you this, you're about the most influential person in my life, that conversation is the reason I'm where I am today--on the road to who and what I want to be.

Sincerely,

Cess Soriano, MD in progress