Physician Heal Thyself

Until the age of fifty my life had followed a fairly linear trajectory: college, medical school, a residency in Pediatrics, marriage, a beautiful home, three healthy sons.

Suddenly at fifty I found myself facing the “Triple Threat.” Unfortunately, this did not mean Singing, Dancing, and Acting—but that other (perhaps more common) “Triple Threat:” Midlife, Menopause, and… Divorce.

As a doctor, I have been well-schooled on how to heal the body.
But the heart?
Not so much.

I have been well-schooled on healing others.
But how to “heal thyself?”
(I must have missed that lecture.)

Devastated, desperate, and sadly not possessing the skill set of that more desirable “Triple Threat,” I dug into my Doctor’s Bag of Tricks and pulled out… toys.
(Yes, action figures, mini cars, dolls, even dolls’ heads.)

As my life was disassembling, I found myself immersed in the art of Assemblage.
I began maniacally creating whacky pieces of art as I delved into my pain, my fear, my anger… and, yes, my hope.
My new Bag of Tricks was now a Box of Treats, my new toolbox a toy box.

I had gone from being a doctor healing those who play with toys to being a doctor now healing “thyself’ by playing with those same toys. My art had become a self-prescribed means of healing the weeping wounds of my divorce.

I thus became a Healing Artist.
My play is now my work, my work is now my play.
My hope is to heal others as I heal myself.

(After all, once a doctor, always a doctor…)

Addendum: (Some random facts about me:)

• I have found some killer places to find supplies for my art. (I get asked all the time)—Ask me!
• I have the best mashed potato and jambalaya recipes ever—Ask me!
• I love British mystery miniseries and can recommend a few classics—Ask me!
• I am intensely curious, have far too many books, and am, unfortunately, a slow reader. (Don’t ask!)
• I have chronic testosterone exposure overload: I have three brothers, three sons, and I practiced medicine for twenty years. I love the women in my life!
• I am a travelaholic. If you ask me to go somewhere, I will probably say yes.
• I will choose wine over chocolate every time. Unless it’s really bad wine and really good chocolate!