12 Comments
User's avatar
Steven, HsD—Forensic Jester's avatar

You sound like you could use a Zettlekasten slipbox. The mind's great for processing, but relying on it as a memory-safe is like preserving water in your fist. Besides, you're a medical doctor - by now your brain's got to be full. Mine would be struggling just from holding on to that much Latin.

Kevin McMullen, MD's avatar

Large swaths of childhood were deleted to make room for rote medical knowledge.

Now it’s all on my phone. Except the memories. Those are gone.

Sean Jackewicz's avatar

A real unspoken sacrifice of our craft. I've been trying to dedicate more effort to recording more memories. Journaling, photography, videos, shared stories. Hell, even tattoos of specific memories.

Kevin McMullen, MD's avatar

Externalization matters. I’ve got gaps…

Chi-Jing Leow's avatar

I love what you write, Kevin. I resonate with the sense of wonder you have for the natural world. When I was in Montana, Glacier NP a few weeks ago, I had the second best day of my life (first is wedding, of course, that's the right answer). I could not believe what my eyes were seeing in the mountains. I was blown away. I'd love to stop by your observatory when I visit Montana again, I want to see the stars.

I wonder if the sense of awe we have means something. We exist for a blink of an eye in the cosmic timeline. Does our existence matter? Do what we accomplish matter? It seems like all of crave for something permanent, eternal, something that lives on even after we die.

I like this quote by C.S. Lewis

"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."

May you continue to find wonders in His creation.

Kevin McMullen, MD's avatar

Sometimes I wonder if the whole point is for us to stop and think for a while.

Would love to have you by anytime you’re in the area (seriously). Glacier Park is truly special… we go there at least 1-2 times a year… Very lucky to raise a family here in Montana.

Chi-Jing Leow's avatar

Montana has a special place in my heart.

Dennis Bodzash's avatar

You only live once, so why not? I'm in the same boat and hopefully in a few days, I'll have a much more humble one in my own backyard. As for my 'why' question, the answer is simply because I could!

Kevin McMullen, MD's avatar

Excited to see what you end up with!

Seize that carp.

Josh Chamot's avatar

Amen. Plus, build it and they will come.

You are a giver, and we in the audience appreciate that.

Sean Jackewicz's avatar

Honestly I want a wizard's tower with a telescope on top. Stay weird my friend

Kevin McMullen, MD's avatar

Beats a convertible if you ask me…