D ov my medical school observer whom I’ve already told you about was clearly flustered when he showed up to clinic. It was the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah so I asked him if he was 75 minutes late because he kept forgetting to say “HaMelech HaMishpat.”
Dov didn’t think it was very funny — in fact my normally happy-go-lucky med student just wasn’t his usual ebullient self. He appeared slightly disheveled and had certainly forgotten his trademark smile. So rather than rush him in to the next patient I told him that breakfast was on me and gave him some cash to run out and buy us some bourekas.
By the time Dov returned the timely blessing of a cancellation meant we could schmooze for a few minutes without pressure.
“Nu?” I asked Dov. “You forgot your positive attitude today…everything okay?”
