September 6, 2001
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When I passed through the door of Dr. Skinner’s office yesterday, I was entering into a different world. Never have I seen so many outstandingly friendly, congenial, happy folks all in one building. From the receptionist to the dentist and everyone in between, I was treated like a much loved friend. Can you imagine being told you need $2000 worth of dental work, yet leaving the place feeling joyous? I have managed to avoid going to the dentist for around four years, so I was feeling rather embarrassed to start with. There I sat, the possessor of Unclean Teeth, with my accusers holding drills. The dental assistant took x-rays, chatting me up the whole while, just as personable as could be. After waiting a while for the developing, in walked Doogie Houser DDS with dimples (AKA as Dr. Gregory Skinner). *smile* Seriously, how old am I??!? I checked to see if he shaved and I did detect some facial hair. He talked to me and prodded around in my mouth as I drooled over his dimples. Alas, he was far too young to flirt with, so I’ll have to settle with teasing him. I feel like he was HONEST and that has become intensely important to me ever since Dr Hughes in Norfolk lied to me about dental work I needed and tried to rip me off at the lowest financial point in my life. Anyway, Dr. Skinner was very kind and diplomatic about my mandibular neglect. Somehow they fit me in for a full mouth debridement that very day. The dental hygenist had familiarized herself with my answers to a questionaire and was every bit as easy going and gregarious as her coworkers. She didn’t fuss at me at all while she chipped away at my calculus. . Everyone (excluding Dr. Skinner) gathered around the front desk as they extracted my money before I departed. We were all talking and laughing and I left truly looking forward to my next appointment. How weird is that? Kudos to Dr. Skinner and his staff for taking a dentist-phobic old lady and turning her around. ---------------------------------------- I sat on the couch tonight, snuggled up against Mom, watching TV. My heart was full as my thoughts were with a lady from the internet whose mother passed away a couple of days ago. Kissing Mom’s arm as I leaned against it.... trying to create one more memory. She was happy and laughing. I smiled real big as her eyes met mine. That’s all I really need to do. Let her see joy, acceptance, and approval. Let her share secret jokes and feel connected. Sadness is creeping over me again. Just this morning I had to feed Mom as she stared straight ahead like a zombie. She dutifully accepted and chewed each bite. She is slipping more and more into her inevitable destiny. The happy, together times are becoming fewer and fewer. I don’t want her to go... oh, how I wish this wasn’t happening. I got her ready for bed. She was even willing to brush her teeth. As I left to go upstairs I said, “I love you, Mom.” “I love you, too.” was her sweet reply. I treasure the sound of those words knowing they are spoken sincerely and from the heart. I ask God to comfort the one who lost her mom and lift up a prayer of gratefulness that I still have mine here with me. Proverbs 18:24 ¶ A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. . |
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