“Are you Wai Jia?”
On many afternoons, I carry the burdens of the day to a little bakery house and leave them at the door. In it, is my time with my little girls, and my little cup of teh-c-kosong (local tea) to remind me that God is bigger than my fears.
Today, i was caught by surprise as I walked in-
“You don’t know me, but you know my husband, Michael.”
“Michael?”
“You were his house officer, many years ago.”
The memories flooded back.
“Michael!”
“He told me so much about you- and we’ve been following your stories since.”
I stood, holding tears back.
That posting with my senior, Michael, was the last memorable clinical posting before I entered what I only now understand to be a series of abusive work experiences.
Once, on his watch, I forgot I was on-call. An unforgivable error. After some dozen missed calls from the hospital, Michael called.
“It happens,” he said coolly, “thankful you’re here.” And together, we conquered the night of impossible admissions.
In that stage of my life as a fresh grad, a “lowly house officer,” dissolving into the monstrous system of unforgiving 31-hour overnight shifts, 90-hour work weeks, and a scary work hierarchy, I felt invisible.
But it was seniors like Michael who cared, that made Medicine that much more bearable. To think that my short 4-month posting under him made an impression enough for him to share with his wife whom I then met 11 years later at a little bakery house who recognized me while I was masked up, brings me to tears. On a day when I felt rather discouraged.
“Just wanted to say that your life has been so encouraging. I remember him sharing how you even went to buy sugar-free chocolates for a diabetic uncle. So I was always so touched by your big heart. Thank you for touching us.”
As I read her text, I teared.
If you’re reading this and wondering if your life is meaningful at all, if it makes a difference to anyone, and why bother if you’re just a cog in the system- know this, that for every person God puts in your way, you just never know how your life might impact theirs, and theirs, yours.
I never knew, till 11 years later.
I’m grateful we met, Mike and Subin. ❤️