Hal is now a Doctor

 

In May of 2002, my brother Hal wrote the final exams required to fully certify him as a Doctor in Canada. On July first, he will officially be licensed to practice medicine.

On June 15, Hal took our whole family out for a very nice dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.

We were joined by Hal's good friend (and fellow medical graduate) Faisal Rehman, Faisal's wife Farah, and his parents.

The food was excellent, the ambiance was friendly, and (of course) the company was exquisite.

Hal has been certain that he wants to be a doctor since he was very young. Including his residency, he has spent twenty-seven consecutive years as a student in pursuit of this goal. 

Now that he is a doctor, he plans to resume his residency in pursuit of additional specialisation. There's just no pleasing some people, I guess.

 

What have I got in my pocket? Being a doctor, you'd think I'd know. Where's the cake? They told me there would be coffee and cake!
Two Doctors

Hershl and Faisal smile at the knowledge that their years of hard work have paid off. They are now ready to begin more years of even harder work; but now they have official titles. 

Proud Families

Hal and Faisal pose with their families. Faisal, his wife Farah, and his parents are at the centre of this picture. 
Hal, his parents (Ana and Saul), and his Grandparents (Freda and Chaim) are framing the shot.
Just wait till they see what it costs to open an office! A doctor, his Mother, and some guy.
Happy Parents

They are happy because they have the strange idea that now that their sons have graduated they won't have to support them. 

Let's let them enjoy the moment.

Mother and Sons

Our Mother sits proudly between her son the doctor and her other son. I thought that if I got close enough, people might think that I was important too (it didn't work).

 

I think I'll get extra tomato! Who's that funny-looking Jewish-guy and what's he doing in our family picture?
Hal and Sandersons

No family celebration could be complete without our Aunt Bella, Uncle Sandy, and their son Blair. Cousin Rani was in England but not far from (most of) our thoughts.

Hal and the Rehmans 

Faisal's family is clearly just as proud of their new doctor as we are of our own latest addition to the medical profession.

 

I love my Mother....I love my son! I can't hold this pose much longer...I'm having too much fun!
Mother and Son

Hal shares a an affectionate moment with his Mother. 

I have now shared that moment with the rest of humanity.

Baba and Zaide

My Grandparents, the core of our family, were, of course, honoured guests at this celebration. 

 

Hurry-up...they're about to repossess the sign! Quick, take her picture before she falls back to sleep!
The Gang

Nearly two years before, our family visited another prominent steak-house restaurant in Toronto and we all posed in front of the sign. Less that a fortnight later, they went broke. 
We thought we'd get this picture while we still could.

Baba, Zaide, and Bella

My aunt Bella poses with her parent's while we wait for the food to arrive. Note the camera in her hand...there were many more photographs taken that night!

 

 

Hal,

I know that you have always wanted to be a doctor for all the right reasons. You get real satisfaction from helping others and you will be a caring and committed physician. I wish you a long, happy, and satisfying medical career.

You already know how happy you have made your family. Now you will be able to bring this happiness to many others with your kind and sensitive bed-side manner.

Congratulations!