With our heartfelt thanks and best wishes

The letter came on the 13th. It was not a Friday, but if you believe bad things happen on Friday the 13th, this might qualify. We were expecting the letter and its contents, but we were still saddened by the news.After 44 years as a medical doctor, serving thousands of patients in the Seneca County area, Dr. John Vela is retiring. Now don't get me wrong, my wife and I are happy for him. The thought however, of losing the man who we relied on for health care during most of those years of practice, is at best daunting.The thing that might be the most difficult about the situation is this fact: he looks too young to be retiring. Some people age gracefully. My wife for example. Others look like they ran into a tree. Yes, that would be me. And then there are those that don't seem to age at all. The guy looks just like he did, say 44 years ago! Dr. Vela has not changed a bit. I don't know how that is possible. Maybe it's the oatmeal.Most of my interactions with Dr. John came at his office. He was always the same, smiling and exuding a calm demeanor. You knew he was going to take care of any problem you brought to him. His nurses were fantastic including Ruth, Jane and Sharon to mention a few. You would leave his office with a smile on your face even if you did not feel that good. Better days were coming.Some people complained of the length of time an office visit took, and I suppose that included me if I had a tee time waiting. But for me it was worth the extra few minutes because I knew he would not leave the examining room before he allowed me to ask (and for him to answer) every question I had. He was thorough and caring. What more could one ask for?There were a few times that Dr. Vela and I met outside of his office. I believe I can share a few of those moments without violating the doctor/patient privilege. One that stands out was nearly 30 years ago when I suffered a heart attack.I was in the old Mercy Hospital when it happened and was going to be kept there for a few days before I would go to St. V's for further treatment. Of course Dr. Vela came in to see me one evening and I told him that the TV in my room was inoperable (by design I believe) and that there was a show I wanted to watch.The mini series Lonesome Dove was going to be rebroadcast. Was there a chance I could watch it again? Fortunately he was familiar with the movie. In fact he considered it the best Western movie he had ever seen. Permission was granted and to this day I can't help but think he knew it would take my mind off what was next for me – even if it was only for a few hours.Then there was the time I had my gall bladder removed. I was to be discharged on a Thursday and I was waiting somewhat impatiently for Dr. Vela to come in with the discharge instructions. I mean, who wants to spend Thanksgiving Day in the hospital!He came in at the top of the hour, but I put him on hold. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was about to start and the Ohio University Marching 110 would open the festivities. Our daughter was in the band and I wanted to see the start of the parade.Dr. Vela sat on the bed next to mine and watched along with my wife and I. How many doctors would do that? If his next patient had to wait an extra five minutes to see him – well, that was my fault!I also remember the time when I ran into Doctor and Mrs. Vela at a grocery store. While my wife chatted with Maureen, I launched into my medical history since my last visit. The talk lasted just a few minutes, but when we got a couple of aisles over, my wife scolded me. She said she was sure Dr. Vela didn't enjoy talking "shop" in the grocery store.If he didn't, I'll never know. The beauty of the man is that he is always the same. You see, he is the same smiling, gracious person wherever you see him. If he was upset about our conversation, it didn't show.Finally this summer he paid me a "house call" of sorts. I had hurt my back and was seeing a chiropractor for manipulation. The man decided he wasn't helping and told me to call my family doctor to get an X-ray. The sooner the better he said to me on a Friday morning.So I went home and called Dr. Vela's office. After the phone rang five times, I decided to hang up and try again. A second call ensued with the same results. When I tried a third time, Maureen answered. She informed me that the Dr. was not in the office, but she could put him on the phone.It was then that I realized the couple was in Denver on vacation. For me to get an X-ray he would have to send an order to Mercy Hospital. Friday afternoon I got the X-ray! Again, how many doctors would go out of their way to help a seemingly impatient patient?I recently talked to someone who was bemoaning the fact that he had seen multiple doctors and nurse practitioners in the last several years. When the visit was over he would go home, get on the internet and try to confirm the advice he was given. He asked me if I did that.I told him no, that I did whatever Dr. Vela told me to do because I had complete trust in him. The person then said, "do you know how lucky you are?" I knew I was, but that moment confirmed how special my relationship with Dr. Vela was. He will be sorely missed.Anita and I would like to thank Dr. John Vela for the fantastic care given to us over the last four decades. We would also like to extend best wishes for Dr. John and Maureen for a wonderful retirement.As you read this he has only a few days left as a Doctor. His last day will be some three weeks before my next scheduled visit (by the way, what's up with that Doc?). For those of us who have been his patients, he will always be Doctor and the term will be used with affection.Now that we are both retired perhaps when Lonesome Dove comes on again, I will call you and we will watch it together. I promise however, that I will never call you with a medical question.Probably...