Letters to a Brain Surgeon

I have a tendency, when I get really excited about something, to get a bit...caught up.  Obsessive.  Intense.  I go through phases where something will really interest me and I find every book I can and read up on it.  People who have to be around me get to endure my constant talking about it.  I get online and research it.

I remember this educational phenomenon starting in about fourth grade with horses (what girl doesn't go through a horse phase at some point?) and moving on to the Holocaust and WWII in junior high when I first really started learning about them, and then Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln in high school.

This past year or two, I found a new person to research (i.e. become obsessed about): Dr. Ben Carson.  Who?  

Ben Carson, famous neurosurgeon.

No, I did not undergo brain surgery.  No, I am not reading up so I can begin the pursuit of a new career (I'm supposed to be putting things in their heads, not taking it out).  No, I am not suddenly interested in science or medicine.

It all started with the $5 movie bin at Wal-Mart.  My mom saw a DVD that looked "uplifting" or "family friendly" or "inspirational"called Gifted Hands.  It didn't appear to be some cheesy Hallmark movie, because it had Cuba Gooding Jr.  Already, what was not to love?!  So, she bought it, took it home, watched it, and then promptly insisted we all watched it so our lives could be changed.

I laughed a little, but one time when I was home, I finally sat down and watched it.  I was in shock as I watched a young, poor, underprivileged boy from a single-parent home go from being the dumbest kid in elementary school, to the world's best and most famous pediatric neurosurgeon.

The teacher in me couldn't resist being utterly moved as I thought of the potential each individual has, and who we each have the power to become.

So, I did what I normally do.  I set out to Google Ben Carson and find out as much as I possibly could. I bought his autobiography.  I bought his children's biography.   I watched online interviews.

Last year, I read the biography to my class.  As we were finishing, I discovered that Ben Carson was actually coming to BYU as the forum speaker.  My class begged to go on a field trip but--considering it was a college forum for BYU students--we compromised (as in--I told them what the plan was) and I took the day off so I could attend, promising I'd take notes for them (which I did).

Ben Carson was just a phenomenal in person as he was in the books.  I was blown away by this man!
And so, we read his book again this year and I let my class write him letters.  They were so fun!  Check out a little of what they had to say to the world's best pediatric neurosurgeon:

Dear Ben Carson,
I think you are a great doctor.  I watch your movie.  I think you are very brave.  You work very hard to save people's lives and I respect that.  If I ever get in a life threatening sichyouwashin (situation) I would want to go to you.

Dear Mr. Carson,
My fourth grade teacher, Miss Waite, read us the book Gifted Hands.  It was great!  I loved it.  You are so much braver than me!  You are so smart!
How many kids do you have?  I want to meet you so bad.  What is your favorite color?
We are learning so much in school.  Do you learn anything when you are doing Dr. stuff?
I bet you are a wonderful man.  And I bed you do wonderful things too.  And I think I will be much more smarter, once I read a lot more.
Want to be your friend,
_________________

Dear Ben Carson,
My teacher just read the book Gifted Hands!  It was cool!  How are you doing?  You are AWESOME!!!  It is very cool that you did surgery on people whose heads were stuck together!  I hope your family is doing very well.  
P.S.  You are amazing to do those things.  How is your wife?

Dear Ben Carson,
Your book has inspired me to work my hardest in school.  Also to do and choose the right--that if a friend turns me down that person is not a good friend, and just to live your dream, to not stay inside and not have fun.  Go outside and just have fun!  It is good to be active and be healthy.  If you don't use your brain, then start.  

Dear Ben Carson,
Hi, my name is ________.  I really look up to you and meeting you one day.  I am nine and in 4th grade.  We just finished Gifted Hands the day before fall break and I want to be like you, nice.  But I kinda get creeped out because of brains.  So when I grow up, I will be a mom.  I am a Mormon.  It impressed me about you and your thoughts.  I think you are very special.  I liked your biography.  

Dear Ben Carson,
Thanks for all you do.  That must be groce (gross) how you look inside people's brains.  Is it?  How is your family doing?  What are your kids' names?

Dear Ben Carson,
You are an amazing brain surchin (surgeon).  How are your kids?  How's your wife?  Your life has been amazing!  What is your favorite color?  I really look up to you.  I have to go!
From a kid who looks up to you.

Ben...dude, please tell me how dang disgusting it was separating those first two twins.  By the way, I think you SHOULD be a brain surgent (surgeon).  

Dear Ben Carson,
We read the book, Gifted Hands as a class and I loved it.  It was a really good book.  I also watched the movie Gifted Hands.  It's a really good movie.  I watched it with my older sister right after we finished the book in class.  I want to read more books about you.  I don't get how you do brain surgery.  It's so blah.


Dear Ben Carson,
I look up to you and admire you.  I like you "THINK BIG."  You are very smart.  You taught me lots and to follow my dreams.  You are good at being a doctor. 

And there you have it.  A sampling of the best of our letters, coming straight from America's future brain surgeons and rocket scientists and accountants and teachers and vets and moms.

Keep your eyes open.  You just never know when the $5 bin at Wal-Mart might shape the future.  :)