Student Reflection
by Peter Mikolajczak

Class of 2003
October 13, 1999

Shel Silverstein wrote in The Giving Tree:

And after a long time
the boy came back again.
"I am sorry, Boy,"
said the tree, "but I have nothing
left to give you-
My apples are gone."
"My teeth are too weak
for apples," said the boy.
"My branches are gone"
said the tree. "You
cannot swing on them-"
"I am too old to swing
on branches," said the boy.
"My trunk is gone," said the tree.
"You cannot climb-"
"I am too tired to climb," said the boy.
"I am sorry," sighed the tree. 		"I wish that I could
give you something....
But I have nothing left. I am just
an old stump. I am sorry...."
"I don't need very much now,"
said the boy
"just a quiet place to sit & rest.
I am very tired."
"Well," said the tree,
straightening herself up
as much as she could,
"Well, an old stump is good
for sitting & resting.
Come, boy, sit down.
Sit down & rest."
And the boy did.
And the tree was happy.
______________

So much is resting on the shoulders of these wonderful individuals whom we are celebrating today. They have given a part of themselves to nearly every one of us: they are our parents, they are our brothers & sisters, they are our friends, and, for me, they are my teachers. They have demonstrated to me, not only the anatomy of the human body, but how far a person can go in sacrificing themselves for the well being of others. I owe each and every one of these individuals more than I'll ever be able to repay. Human anatomy is the cornerstone of most medical specialties and everything I learn over the four years will be built upon the foundation these individuals have established. Every one that I will ever help, as a physician, will owe some part of their well being to these individuals. I owe more to them than that. I can't promise you I'll be able to give as much as you have given me. And I can't promise you I'll always be able to be as selfless as you were with me. And I can't promise you that I'll be able to perform miracles as a physician. All I can say is that I'll work my hardest to live up to the standards you have set for me. All I can say is that I will work my hardest to make the most out of the opportunity you have given me. All I can say is that I'll work my hardest to make you proud of me. And I can say thank you. Thank you for everything. My thoughts will always be with you.

Last Modified
Friday, 22-Sep-2000 16:44:51 CDT