The medical field is notorious for its grueling hours and high-stress environment.
The mere suggestion of a doctor having a hobby often elicits sarcastic chuckles from those in the profession.
But Dr. Erik Bostrom, a 33-year-old physician from Northern Minnesota, defies this stereotype in the most heartwarming way possible.
By day, Dr. Bostrom is busy delivering babies at Riverwood Healthcare Center.
But when the sun sets, he swaps his surgical gloves for a needle and thread.
You see, Erik had a challenge when he first started at the healthcare center: he was the new guy on the block.
And let’s face it, when it comes to choosing a doctor, most people prefer a familiar face.
So, what did Dr. Bostrom do? He took up a hobby that was entirely foreign to him—sewing baby blankets.
Now, you might wonder, how does a man who’s never so much as threaded a needle suddenly decide to sew?
Well, Erik had plenty of experience stitching up skin, so he figured, “How different could fabric be?”
To get started, Erik transformed a room in his house into a makeshift sewing studio.
With a little guidance from his mom and sister-in-law, he quickly realized that sewing wasn’t as daunting as he’d initially thought.
In fact, he told The Star Tribune that it was easier than he’d expected.
Erik began his sewing journey by crafting simple, cozy blankets for the newborns he delivered.
But as he honed his skills, he started adding personalized touches.
Each blanket would feature the baby’s name, birth date, height, and weight, meticulously stitched by Erik himself.
If you’re thinking this sounds like a quick, effortless hobby, think again.
Crafting each blanket is a labor of love that takes Erik about three hours.
“He came in, and he’s like, ‘Well, I have something.’ And he brings out this beautiful, pink blanket,” said Lucie Heitalati, a mom who was utterly surprised and delighted when Erik presented her with a blanket at her daughter’s two-month check-up.
“It’s a beautiful blanket. It’s something she’ll cherish her entire life,” she added.
Erik, who primarily practices family medicine, isn’t swamped with blanket-making duties.
He delivers just one or two babies a month, which gives him a joyful respite from dealing with the more somber aspects of healthcare.
Erik’s blankets have turned him into an internet sensation.
When The Uplift shared Erik’s story on Facebook, the post garnered over 3,000 reactions and hundreds of comments.
One user summed it up perfectly: “We need more doctors like him, and that shows me he really truly cares.”
“And to make them in his spare free time? That’s so caring and wonderful.”
Erik’s dedication to his craft goes beyond just being a job; it’s a testament to his compassion and commitment to making a difference, one stitch at a time.
Learn more about this caring doctor in the video below!
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