110%, one of my favorite places to be, is the dentist.
Before explaining that, I must first digress.
Summer of 2017 I wiped out on my skates and full-on face-planted. My body was in shock, so at that point, nothing hurt, but I knew I hit my wrist, my chin, my jaw, and my mouth. I was sure I’d knocked out my teeth. I told myself “relax, I can get veneers, just open your eyes because we have to get our sprawled body out of the middle of the street!”. I opened my eyes and the ground was covered in white fragments. At this point, it took some serious positive self-talk (and threats that I’m sure a car was cruising to round the bend and roll me over) to lift myself off the ground. As I pulled myself slowly away from the asphalt, it was like zooming out on an over-pixelated picture; suddenly the little images I had seen were making sense. Those “fragments of teeth” were actually the little white gravel pieces that break off from the road. My hand snapped to my mouth and with great relief, I realized that my teeth were still there. I truly can’t describe my level of elation at realizing that. My wrist had already doubled in size, my face was bleeding, but my teeth were there.
I should explain that as a kid, I never had that showing-up-to-school-in-my-underwear nightmare or whatever nightmares kids usually have. No, my nightmares consisted of getting my teeth nearly knocked out, and having to rush to the dentist. And right before I could find out whether I lost my teeth or if the dentist saved them, I would wake up. I suppose what I’m trying to say is that I really, really, like my teeth.
However, until that wipe-out, I never even contemplated needing a mouthguard. I was totally oblivious. And I mean really, I must explain. This is what I look like on skates:
Tricked out in protective gear, but nothing for my teeth! Well I took care of that and if I didn’t look like flying ugly before, I can assure you, I do now.
Anyway, it was in requiring a mouthguard that I really got to know my cousin Johnny (my new dentist). I assure you in all sincerity with no bias, I think he’s one of the most incredible human beings, and the best dentist. He is so passionate about not only his work but the people who help him do that great work. Literally, it’s a joy for me to walk into the office. His office administrator is the sweetest person I’ve met, and his hygienists do the best work. It genuinely lifts my mood walking into the office. I believe much of that is indicative of how Johnny sees his profession, as his life’s work; his mission. He is one of those people who I truly admire, a person who wakes up every day and gets to do what he loves. I admire him for that and I wish the same for myself one day.
ANYWAY, this was supposed to be a SOW post, but much to anyone’s detriment who reads this, I thoroughly enjoyed telling my story.
Marina, one of my favorite hygienists, loves listening to this artist. It’s like Bossa Novva, but different. Música Tropical. Never heard of it, but boy do I love it now.
One song, but really, this whole album is fantastic!
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