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To think that Michael A. Cicero could have been a psychiatrist. Thankfully, for countless children and their parents, Cicero realized decades ago that pediatric medicine is where he needed to be, and ultimately devoting the majority of his career in Franklin. As he put it himself in last Sunday’s story, “I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to work here. It has been a labor of love.”

This brings to mind the idea that more young people should be encouraged to become doctors, nurses, physicians assistants, etc. They will, more or less, have a job for life. At the same time, they’ll provide invaluable aid. Cicero also noted that his work was not just about treating children who were ill, but that they and their parents had become “ woven into the fabric of my life.”

Naturally, these new medical practitioners should also be encouraged to return to Western Tidewater as there will be no lack of patients no matter what their area of expertise.

We salute the doctor as he’s set to retire on Tuesday, March 31 and wish several more fulfiling years with family and friends and other activities on the horizon.