Meet my dad, Doctor Woody (as his elderly patients call him).
My dad’s a doctor (a DO as opposed to an MD for those who are familiar with the difference). He’s a great doctor- actually, he’s the best at what he does… I think. And I don’t think I’m biased. I tried out a doctor here in FTW and was very disappointed with our experience. So… I just keep going back to dad.
Why am I mentioning this, you may wonder? He’s started a blog I think you should add to your reader and follow b/c I think he’ll be providing some valuable information. His first entries have been about obesity. You know what a problem it is in our country. He provides VERY do-able and balanced solutions to the problem. He has such a wealth of knowledge that he’s developed over the last 28 years that he’s making easily available to the public.
In case you’re curious, here’s why I think he’s the best at what he does (he’s in family practice). Also, I photographed him and mom over Easter weekend and thought I’d share a few of my favorites from that shoot. Can’t post without a picture!
1) He’s balanced. He treats with a holistic approach. He realizes you’re not just a physical being, but also a relational, emotional, and spiritual. So he treats you accordingly. Just like the Bible talks about in Psalm 32:3 about when he “kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. I acknowledged my sin to you and my iniquity I did not hide… and you forgave the guilt of my sin”. Sometimes emotional, mental, or spiritual (as in the example above) issues manifest themselves themselves in physical ways and no amount of drugs will fix those problems. It’s important to me that my doctor have that perspective when treating me.
2) He doesn’t rule out alternative medicines and theories. Sometimes doctors think (western) medicine is the ONLY way to treat a problem. But dad doesn’t think we’re so superior as that. He follows the goings on other countries and their forms of “medicine” (like homeopathic and such) and realizes that people are healing from those… so isn’t it reasonable to utilize that resource rather than dismiss it as bogus? On another note… He’s actually the one that got me thinking about following an alternative schedule for vaccinating Hudson. Though he realizes no one can be sure whether vaccinations cause autism, he thinks it’s reasonable to consider, investigate and act according to your conscience. (as opposed to doctors who won’t even treat you if you consider an alternative schedule). And so I did and so I am.
3) He shoots straight with you. Sometimes that’s annoying, like when I would like a little more coddling, but he sees your problem and he realizes telling it like it is is the only way to help overcome your problem. He also makes you accept personal responsibility. If you aren’t willing to help yourself, there’s nothing much he can do to help you.
4) He’s very generous with his time. I don’t know how many times growing up he’d get phone calls on the weekends or in the evenings from patients (we’re from a small town) who had urgent medical questions that couldn’t wait (or so they thought). I don’t think I’ve ever heard him complain about that. That speaks volumes to me. He genuinely cares about his patients and this is one way that manifests itself.
Okay, so now for their portraits:
Pretty good lookin’ couple, wouldn’t you say?
This is so my dad’s smile. I am so glad I have these pictures of my parents that just perfectly captured their essence.
Ahhh… I love these last two b&w ones.
A little casual, a little professional. I think I really love the one on the left.
Dad trying to be serious.
I have quite the hip mom.
I just LOVED the yellow jacket when she showed me her outfit options. I have a jacket fettish as does she. And boy was this one a hit.
I think I’ve decided I really believe in having your portraits taken more than once every 10 years. I mean, it’s nice to have your senior and engagement portraits done, but why not when you’re 40 and 50. And I don’t mean family portraits or boring studio ones in boring clothes. I mean you being you in something fun and exciting. Like above. I have another lady who had the same idea and I can’t wait to show them off when they’re ready. You should think about it- live on the edge for once:)
