Doctors, I'm one of those. When my kids were little they once asked me what kind of work I do.  In a University town, the title can mean many things. So I told them "I'm an Internist". Before I got far in my explanation my son jumped in. He thought it was probably a lot like television, exciting, fast paced, and a little scary like in the Emergency Department.  Trying to reassure him, I told him my life was rarely like television.  Most of my day is spent prescribing medicine and trying to help people stay out of the Emergency department. To the teachers at school this translated into "my mom mostly does drugs at work". 

A few days later we were waiting in the car at a green light. A fairly young fellow was slowly crossing the street smoking a cigarette and drinking from a large soda bottle. Seizing this teachable moment I told the kids, this was the kind of guy I see at the office. On a good day I helped people change their habits before they got sick; asked people to stop smoking before they couldn't breath; encouraged them to walk more before they couldn’t walk; talked about eating less before they had diabetes. Oh yeah, the pills and potions thing too. The bonus of my work is the privilege of getting to know so many decent people. Not just as Mrs. Smith with Diabetes. But as Mrs. Smith a true lady with a new grandchild, who also has diabetes.

HEAVY sighs from the back seat. So for the little guys I tried again. I explained that sometimes at work I spend a lot of time telling people things like, "never drink soda from a cup bigger than your bladder." Giggles from the back seat were my payment. Sometimes you have to know your audience.