Keith Wong, a medical student at the University of Ottawa aspiring to become a family doctor, shared his reflections on a trip to Barcelona that evoked thoughts of his hardworking parents. Despite their lack of ties to the city or Europe, Wong found himself nostalgic for his parents while observing a couple in a restaurant during a break from medical school. The couple’s simple gestures and appearance reminded Wong of his own parents’ daily routine back home in Windsor, Ontario.
Wong highlighted the unwavering support and sacrifices his parents, who never completed high school or university, made to ensure their children received higher education. Despite urging from their children to work less, Wong’s parents continue to toil daily, with the aim of providing ample support to allow their youngest child to excel before they retire.
The article delves into Wong’s feelings of responsibility for his parents’ fatigue due to the financial strain of his extended medical education. He expressed a desire for his parents to experience the world as he does, promising them a trip once he completes his residency. However, concerns arise as his father’s health deteriorates and his mother requires new medications, raising uncertainties about fulfilling his promise in the future.
While contemplating delayed gratification common in medical training, Wong acknowledged that expressing love and gratitude to his parents through regular communication, shared moments, and small gestures is equally significant. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong connection with his parents, reassuring them that they are always in his thoughts, regardless of his location or pursuits.