VT Works

Last Saturday afternoon, while helping my father construct a new gazebo in his backyard, a feeling of deja vu washed over me. Somehow, someway, this gazebo moment was not a new experience.  To be honest, moments like those usually bother me greatly (we can discuss that part later), but this time was different. The sensation was quite comforting, in fact, and as the day progressed and hours of digging into my own memory bank passed, it finally came to me.

COVD’s Annual Meeting was cancelled this year, and although my decision early on was to likely skip this year’s gathering in Toronto, knowing those lecture halls and hospitality suite would be vacant was a blow on many levels. The decision to cancel was understandable, and most would agree, correct; nonetheless, it was painful. In a way, the cancellation felt like the loss of a family member. For many of us, the meeting holds a similar significance to the Superbowl, Swan Lake, or even a holiday celebration. It’s like the biggest family reunion you could ever imagine, and this family is pretty smart.

In 2008, during the Annual Meeting in Palm Springs, I was able to complete my certification. Linda Sanet was my mentor. Dr.s’ Leonard Press and Irwin Suchoff conducted my oral interview examination. Dr. Dan Fortenbacher called me an hour later to say that I had passed. At the moment the phone rang, I was seated in a gazebo (aha, the connection) on the grounds of the hotel with a friend or two. It is a great memory.

And that’s where the #mycovdmemory idea began, in the backyard. Quite literally in the shadow of a half-built gazebo. On Saturday evening, after collecting my thoughts and the fusion of a few ideas, my decision was to record and post the first #mycovdmemory video on social media. I had no idea if anyone would even watch it, but my thought was we cannot attend this year and make new memories, but we can enjoy the old ones – together. In the days since, it has been such a pleasant surprise to see all the wonderful sharing that has occurred. It’s been great to see the smiling faces, the shaggy hair, the glasses of wine, and to hear the silly giggles which accompany those newly revealed “never to be repeated” stories. Those are the best. It’s amazing to see people I’ve looked up to, learned from, and admired for a long time participate. Equally as flattering is watching doctors and therapists whom I’ve never met share their memories. It’s all pretty cool.

The quantity of videos has certainly picked up steam in the last few days; a trend I hope to see continue for a while. Although this began the same week COVD’s Annual Meeting was to take place, my hope is to see it continue until as many people who want to share have the opportunity. After all, this is family. In the coming weeks, as the nominations continue to expand, we would love to see so many more of you fly by on the computer screen as you share your favorite memory. Because it’s the best way – no, check that – it’s the only way we get through this little bump in the road – together.

Cheers!