Anthony L. Hall is a descendant of the Turks & Caicos Islands, international lawyer and political consultant - headquartered in Washington DC - who publishes his own Internet Weblog at www.theipinionsjournal.com offering commentaries on current events from a Caribbean perspective

We are also exceedingly pleased that the St Joseph’s Regional Medical Centre in Patterson New Jersey has offered Maureen a Postgraduate Residency appointment in Family Practice. And, given the size of our family - complete with more than a few hypochondriacs (Who? Me!?) - this is an extremely auspicious appointment.

After the graduation ceremony, we gathered for a private dinner party at which I gave a toast to Maureen that shall repeat as a lasting tribute here:

I offer this toast to our sister Maureen in a spirit of profound admiration and unvarnished humility.  Admiration because her graduation into the ranks of medical doctors marks a triumph of perseverance over daunting obstacles that only a person with the faith of job could have predicted.  And humility, because faced with similar obstacles, I doubt that I would have been able to overcome with such remarkable equanimity.

Therefore I rise, Maureen - to sing your praises and to tell you what an inspiration you are to me.  And it is my fervent hope that in the years to come, all of us - especially your children Bill and Billyca - will  have not only words to say but also deeds to show just how truly proud we are of you.

To Dr Lil’ Reene...