Last week was my 45th birthday, and to be honest, I wasn’t particularly happy about it. I was actually a bit curmudgeony. When my wife and kids asked what I wanted to do and what gifts I wanted, I actually said, “Let’s not do anything, and don’t get me any gifts.” What a fool I was. They’re much smarter than I am and did in fact make a lovely dinner and gave gifts.

A good part of the reason for this poor attitude was that, recently, I’ve been feeling my age. It’s actually the first year that I really feel like an adult rather than someone pretending to be one. Now, I know what you’re thinking, especially those older than me. “Come on, Shapiro. You’re a young person, a baby. You have many years left.”

Of course, you’re right. However, I’d recently had a few reminders that I am getting older. For example, I’ve been reminded heavily that our metabolism slows down as we age, and boy is that true! The growing belly that fights my exercise attempts is proof positive of that. Even more so is the ever-growing age difference between my students and me. A few weeks back, while speaking with a couple of them, I mentioned something from my past and the student said, “You’re OLD, Dr Shapiro.” Oh…the honesty of youth.

Putting this maudlin attitude aside, this birthday has actually given me the opportunity to look back on what I’ve done so far and consider what is possible for the future. One of my proudest accomplishments in life is becoming a podiatric physician. I’ve now been in the field almost 18 years, in active practice for 11 of those years, and an educator for eight years. I can’t count how many people I have treated, and I hope to have impacted their lives in some positive way. I’ve fixed broken bones, healed wounds, and helped others to keep walking, no differently from all of my podiatric brethren. What an amazing privilege it has been to do my best to help others. I hope to continue receiving that privilege for years to come.

But perhaps more than helping patients walk, I’m even more proud of the educational work I’ve been so lucky enough in which I participated. I have been part of the Western University College of Podiatric Medicine faculty that has educated and is currently educating hundreds of people from podiatric and medical students to podiatric and nonpodiatric residents. Just the other day, I worked a 13-hour day in which I taught class in the morning, residents in the afternoon, and then rounded the day off with an evening workshop teaching new students how to do nail procedures. Looking back on that day and many like it, I realized just how fulfilling it is to be a part of these trainees’ lives.

In fact, just this morning I received a text and picture from one of my graduated residents, who is now in a very successful practice and had recently expanded by hiring another of my graduates. He sent me a picture of his new partner surgically repairing an ankle fracture with one of my current residents assisting (himself getting closer to graduation). How lucky am I to work with such dynamic people and being in the position to affect the lives of them and, by extension, the patients with which they come in contact. Who could ask for a better birthday gift?

I’ve also had the pleasure of being invited to speak at a few national conferences this year, a first for me. The real honor though was not the invitations to participate in the conferences as much as the opportunity to meet and talk with so many of you who have read this editorial, some of you for years. I’ve been permitted to write Practice Perfect in its different guises for more than a decade, and after 575 issues, I still can’t believe that the PRESENT e-Learning Systems folks want me to continue! I have connected with many professionals of different stripes from podiatrists to nutritionists to many others along the way and have learned more from you than I could express. I’ve truly been the beneficiary of this relationship, and for that I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

After 45 years of life and 18 years in podiatry, I know there’s a lot more to learn and do. I’ve never been content to stop where I am, and I’m excited to see what the future will bring. I hope my story will coax some of you to reflect on your own personal and professional lives and realize just how lucky we all are to be a part of this excellent profession. I wish you as much challenge, happiness, and fulfillment in your next 45 years as I have had in mine.