Doomed to grandchildren far away

My youngest son is interviewing for positions in Florida.  He has just over a year left in his residency and apparently lots of places are in need of orthopaedic surgeons.  The problem is that many of them are on the east coast.  I guess that's logical because, besides California, most of the population is in the east. It doesn't make it easier for grandma and grandpa, especially since the kids have spent the last eight years in New York and South Carolina.  

The multi-specialty group he met with this weekend really wined and dined his family, and he has several more interviews scheduled at other towns, in other situations, but mostly in Florida.  Most of all, I want he and his family to find a situation they really like.  I just wish it were west of the Mississippi so we could be closer.

Becoming a doctor takes a special level of dedication and delayed gratification.  Many people look at their college graduation as the beginning of their careers, the entrance to their futures. Doctors have another four years of medical school, which is far more rigorous than any undergraduate program, then several years of residency--depending on the discipline chosen. Residency is killer.  A couple of years ago the medical establishment came out with the notion that residents should work no more than 88 hours a week!  That's amazing as it is, but lots of programs just pretend to follow it.  I know my son has worked more than 120 hours in a week. 

 

He is looking forward to finally being able to have a semi-normal schedule, have time to play piano or guitar again, play catch or basketball with his son,  help his daughter ride her new bike,  and spend quality time with his wife.  All while finally making enough money to do some things he wants to do.  It will be 14 years since high school graduation; that's probably long enough.  We just wish they could be closer to home.