By Staff
Tuesday morning I was reclining in my dental hygienist's chair – my mouth open and no opportunity to talk!
Jean is not only an excellent (and patient) professional but she is a wonderful conversationalist, as well.
I must give her a lot of credit for working on me – I gag and I drool. Okay, okay – that's too much information!
I've learned to communicate with her by making unintelligible grunts and groans. In between procedures, I have the opportunity to use real words and we have great talks.
Lying there, with my mouth open and things being done to my teeth, I thought of all the people I depend upon who help take care of me.
Of course, the dentist is right up there with Jean.
Then there is Tim, my chiropractor; Brian, my massage therapist; Maureen, my physician; Nancy, my phlebotomist; Benny, my barber; Shirley, my comptroller; Fr. Rick, my priest; John, my office landlord; Alan, my optometrist; Pete, my mechanic; Kirk, my landscaper; Gloria and Joan, my neighbors; Matt, my UPS driver; my FedEx driver (I don't know his name, yet); Chris, my dog's groomer; the doctors Butts, my animals' vets; John, my editor; of course there are devoted family and friends; numerous service people in restaurants and stores; bank tellers; post office personnel; scores of nameless people who provide utilities and safety – the list is long.
According to an old African proverb, "It takes a village to raise a child."
I believe it takes a village to take care of all of us.
What would we do without each other? And what do we do with each other? Gripe? Complain? Or do we express appreciation?
As much as I depend upon all of these people, I don't tell them often enough how much they mean to me. What would I do without them? My life would certainly be less convenient and much more difficult.
Wouldn't this be a great community if we all were more expressive of our appreciation?
Say thanks to those we take for granted.
Oh, by the way – I may gag and drool in the hygienist's chair, but I don't have and never have had a cavity!
I do have a new toothbrush, though, because I was such a good patient.
Thanks, Jean – and all the rest of you. You're a great support system!