An Apology
Please accept my apologies for being such a dang grump a couple of weeks ago; my bad. Seemed like even “virtual” Coach Pete couldn’t interview me out of a bad attitude. And I even called La Polla Loca an “old broad” (means she must be less than ten years younger than me.)
So if you really do have any paid-for dental benefits available between now and the end of 2009, do take advantage of them. Why lose funds that would have helped provide better oral health, not to mention additional smiles and quality time to smell some more roses?
And please do use dental floss. Users really do live an average seven years longer and that data includes the Derby State of Kentucky (the same place that gave us “tooth” whitening and drive-thru denture franchises.)
A few things happened during the last two weeks that got me to thinking an apology was definitely in order. The experiences produced some endorphins that are nowhere to be found during spin class where my going 90mph (an estimate) on a stationary bike in a roomful of mirrors is way less euphoric than the air conditioning.
I was daily reminded about what was so special about my career choice. Wasn’t all the new gadgetry or the cool title or even working indoors with A/C listening to music or even a schedule my Dad would have considered part-time. Wasn’t even the Trojan shrine…it was the people.
I basically get to work with family I can choose and I get to make new friends every day. And all I have to do is be interested. Who wouldn’t?
It’s always fun meeting new patients and catching up with old friends because the conversation is never the same twice. Considering the vast expanse of what I don’t know I don’t know, my just being with people is a continuing, continuing education available to me 8 hours/day Monday through Thursday. Plus research shows you retain stuff better when you’re having fun so why not have fun?
Today I opened up a letter from one of our former in-service training students from PCC. Abe has sent us updates during the last three years and this time proudly announced his passing the Boards, paving the way for his chosen career as a Physician’s Assistant. I don’t think we scared him out of dentistry (maybe Singing Dental Assistant Kolleen…)
Well Abe is just the kind of person who will make a difference for folks in healthcare; he’ll save some lives and add quality to countless others…because he cares. And I’m beyond being flattered that he shared his great news (with test scores and resumé included.) One reason I start so many sentences with “so” goes back to all the questions Abe used to ask, most of them starting with “So…?”
Also received an e-mail from the daughter of one of my classmates. Inger shared she hadn’t been to the dentist since the passing of her Dad, an awesome dentist and an even more awesome guy who saved some lives by making dentures that transformed weakened, starving senior citizens into Jack LaLanne look-alikes. Inger wondered if we would accept her as a new patient. Made my month.
Next week I’ll be landing at O’Hare for the annual thumping of the Irish and I’ll have a ride into Chicago…courtesy of a great patient and friend who actually has more Trojan gear than me.
So if I come off as a grump in the future feel free to drop-kick me some feedback. “It’s the people stupid!” would be more than appropriate.
