Dreams come true

What do you want to be when you grow up?

When I was five years old I participated in a Miss Tinkerbell competition, and when the judges asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up I said “A Sister that works with babies”.  In Grade 2 I had to describe what my dream job would be and I drew a picture of me as a doctor with a stethoscope and a baby in my arms.  This dream grew and evolved over the extent of my school career.  It shaped my subject choices and inspired me to work harder at academics, cultural events, sport and life.  After matric it became part of my five year and later ten year plan.

As the oldest of three children, I was always babysitting someone.  Since I can remember I have loved babies and kids!  My end goal was thus always to become a Pediatrician. I knew God planted this dream in my heart, and when I look back I can see the thread of His love and provision guiding me along this journey. (More about the journey in a later post).

Somewhere during my first year of medical school I met Mr Handsome, who became Mr Perfect, whom I married on the 12^th  of December 2009, just a few days after graduating with my MBChB degree.  How blessed!

Over the next few years the seed of a new dream was planted in my heart.  Loving kids in general, I always knew I would like to have children of my own… one day.  My husband and I were content, travelling and working and building our relationship.  As I started specializing I also realized that my time and emotions and energy was so consumed by the sick kids that there was not much left over for anyone else.  But the seed grew and a baby of my own became my heart’s desire.

Ps 37:4 Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart

Finally, after qualifying as a pediatrician, we could focus on becoming a family of three. God blessed us with a perfect little prince on the 9^th of September 2017! My new journey as a mother started. Today our little boy is 12 weeks old and he has brought us so much joy already!  Now all my dreams have come true, by grace alone.

I am in the privileged position to take a break from work to look after our baby for the next few months.  I would love to use this time to discuss some topics that are close to my heart, and to grow as a mother with you. I have realized in the last 12 weeks that I know very little about healthy babies, and my empathy with moms in general has grown so much. I would like to use my perspective as a pediatrician to discuss some motherhood topics, and my experience as a mother thus far to look at some pediatric topics.

What are your dreams for the future?

“Only you can control your future”, Dr Seuss