I drive a little more than 30 miles to work and then 30 miles back home again.  Most weekdays.  For the past 9 years.  My husband does the same thing.  We both commute to almost the same area.  Over the years, countless people have asked, why?  Why don’t you just move closer to work?

1. Concert shirts:  I have amassed quite a collection of concert t-shirts, ironic t-shirts,
   offensive t-shirts and I like to wear them.  A lot.  I never really got passed the age of 23.  Of course, I have to choose my shirts wisely, I have accidentally worn my “Museum of the Weird” shirt with skulls and skeletons on it to drop off my youngest at preschool.  They are not sure what to make of me.  Here’s my point:  People generally have no idea what I do for a living in my local community.  I don’t have a reputation to uphold.  So I can get away with my t-shirts without affecting the opinions of the people I serve.  I get to be an adult who deep down inside is still an adolescent.
2. Bratty kids: My children go to school in my local community and they get to be normal little kids.  Not the kids of a doctor.  There is a mini-celebrity that goes along with being the kid of a doc.  Everyone is looking at them for some kind of magical sparkle.  They have expectations.  They may treat them differently.  Doctor’s kids may have certain advantages.  They may be liked not for their own personalities, but because their parent is held in such high regard.  Fortunately, most people don’t know what I do and my kids get to be themselves.  Bratty.
3. Flashers:  When you live in the community where you work, you see patients everywhere.  Because of the close relationship that develops, patients feel comfortable talking with their doctor about their medical problems anywhere.  They also have no qualms about showing their medical problems to their trusted physician.  Hence the dreaded, hey doc, I’ve got this rash I want to show you.  In Walmart.  In front of God and creation.  That never happens to me in my town.
4. Mommy Was a Racecar Driver:  I like to drive.  I find it relaxing.  I turn up the radio.
   I sing like nobody’s watching.  I unwind from the day.  I equally prepare for the day on my commute to work.  This works for me.  Unfortunately, I have a huge carbon footprint.  I plan to rectify that when I get out of the minivan phase.  Maybe something electric…and convertible.
5. Family:  Our families have helped us tremendously with childcare over the years.  We live near them.  If we moved, we would be too far away.  We would be close to our jobs, but far away from our lifelines.  Our support.  The people that truly care about us and our kids.  So we stay put.  And we like it.