I was 4 years old when I accidently spilled a cup of scalding hot coffee on my back as I was trying to get up on a chair at the breakfast table.
I have brief remembrances of the episode. Our closest hospital was about 25 miles away and our family doctor "Dr. Bill" was called and came to the house.

My mother chose to care for me at home with the help of Dr. Bill and she must have done an excellent job as there were no problems of infection and over a period of time I healed.
I do remember medicine in a cobalt blue bottle that she would put on my back and she would burn the dressings in the fireplace.

I remember Dr. Bill as a large man (but then when you are 4 years old, I suppose everyone looks large) and I remember him as being very kind.
When I was feeling better, Dr. Bill made a very special housecall and carried a large cardboard box in his arms.
He set it on the floor and said it was for me!

You cannot imagine the excitement when I opened the box to find a beautiful soft furry rabbit!
My father was a carpenter and set to work building a rabbit hutch that became home to my rabbit and a companion guinea pig.

The magic of the moment... receiving that rabbit from Dr. Bill, has stayed with me through the years. The practice of medicine has changed a great deal since then.
Rarely will you find a doctor making a housecall and rarely will you find such a personal gift of caring and affection to say... "I care".