As time progresses and populations become more diverse, it seems some services are part of a different age and, rather than becoming more personalized, become more impersonal.
I will provide a couple of examples. There was a day and age in north central Florida, not long ago, when many of us could phone a hometown or home-owned clothing or department store, and ask, "Will you hold such and such (a shirt or pants, sports coat or suit) and send it out on approval" or you went into the store where you were fitted for pants, coats, etc. That kind of service and that kind of store is a thing of the past.
Another example was your hometown medical doctors; you knew them and they knew you. You attended church with them and their children attended your schools. They were part of the community in which they lived. Not at all rare in a former day and age, but more rare today.
A couple of weeks ago, our area paid respect to one who was part of the medical profession who cared for, encouraged, prayed for and was a part of the lives of several generations of Hamilton County citizens, Dr. Frederick T. Mickler, M.D. Dr. Mickler came to Jasper in the late 1950's and the first baby he delivered at Hamilton County Memorial Hospital was Rex Mitchell, retired longtime educator and former Superintendent of Schools for Hamilton County. That was nearly 63 years ago.
Dr. Mickler was that rare medical professional who was a true humanitarian. He genuinely cared about his patients. He saw many as patients from the cradle to the grave, literally. In those days, medical doctors like Dr. Mickler, who were family practitioners "did it all" in small towns; they delivered babies, took out tonsils, sewed up cuts and, most importantly KNEW their patients (let's remember that).
In Jasper, Dr. Mickler rarely missed a home football game and was on the sideline to treat injured players. This was special and unique to a small community such as Jasper, to have a team medical doctor. He also loved high school baseball so much that the baseball field at Hamilton County High School was named in his honor. He began most baseball games in Jasper with leading those assembled in singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."
After closing his private practice, he worked for a number of years at the Hamilton County Health Department and I, for one, loved the fact he was there. I could call and say, "Dr. Mickler, I know myself, these tonsils are beginning to flare up again" and he would say, "Being around children each day has its blessings and curses Johnny, come by the Health Department after school and knock on the back door. I'll get you fixed up."
He would get us fixed up, caring for the sick and dying and visiting those, like my father, at home during their last days on earth. He and daddy spent more time talking about sports memories and playing on opposite teams during the 1940s in Madison and White Springs than about the illness, but it was this kind of personal conversation that made for the relationship that existed as friends, true friends, rather than patient/doctor relationships.
There may be others who come to Hamilton County or north central Florida who may have better training, graduate from larger medical schools or have more specialized equipment, but I can say with assurance that Hamilton County has never had, nor will they ever have a medical doctor who loved his patients (his friends and fellow citizens) and his home in Hamilton County any better or any more than the late Dr. Frederick T. Mickler, M.D.
From the Eight Mile Still on the Woodpecker Route north of White Springs, wishing you a day filled with joy, peace and, above all, lots of love and laughter.