Life is like a trip to the dentist

Okay, so this is going to be an exercise in convoluted thinking, but here goes. Last night was our first hockey game of the season and this meant that I had to dig the mouthguard out of my hockey bag, brush it out, and hold it in my mouth for an hour and a half. It was a test in patience.

Every year I go out and purchase and mould a new mouthguard, promising myself that it will fit and be strong enough for a few seasons of hitting, elbowing, and general tooth protection. However, every year I step out on the ice I am hit by the realization that my teeth have shifted ever so slightly and the mouthguard is now extremely uncomfortable. This realization lead to the impending trip to the dentist this morning to have impressions taken for a new one (a professional one that will hopefully last more than 30 games).

Life is like a trip to the dentist.

Climbing into the chair, the assistant clipped a drool cloth around my neck and begin to put the chair back into it's reclining position for when the doctor came in. At first, I was relatively comfortable - I got to lay there and "relax" for a moment or two.

But then the doctor came in, got his tools, and starting mixing up the cement for the impressions to be taken with. Annnnd, in typical Young Seeker fashion, it was at this moment that I realized how badly I actually had to use the washroom. Even after years of indoctrination from my mother (who works in the dental office), I once again – failed to use the facilities down the hall before climbing into the chair. The unfortunate ending to this story is that dental cement takes about as long to dry (and properly form) in one's mouth as regular, run of the mill, sidewalk brand cement. My bladder and stress level suffered horribly from my poor decision.

"Way why whooze wa waaaafffuum?"

"No, it's best if you don't move while the cement hardens because the more you move, the less likely the mouthguard will fit properly."

You see, at this inoppurtune moment, this young seeker realized just how similar life and the dentist visit really are. In life, we all need a drool bib from time to time - only, we use friends, family, or more unhealthy bibs like drugs, alchohol or shameful habits to catch the run-off from shit-ay circumstances in life that are beyond our control (and sometimes, even the ones that we have full control over!)

And to anyone walking by, the look of horrible discomfort on my face would have simply been attributed to dental-visit nerves, a painful procedure, or inadequate Novacane (freezing). In reality, the problem was an internal problem. I had to pee. In thee worst way. So often, we see someone, friend or stranger, and we assume that we know the causes of their distress or discomfort. 99% of the time, our assumptions are the wrong ones.

Finally, the comparrison is strikingly similar because even when the problem is an internal one, in reality, we are unable to communicate our needs, discomforts, or problems. We lack the language, the articulation, or the courage. Sure, I could have just stood up, walked out, and returned after I silenced the call of my bladder - but honestly... we don't. There are so many reasons and excuses for why we don't, but let's be frank about it - the bottom is that we simply hang tight, suck it up, and get 'er done.

Stop by next time for the blog: God is our Novacane.

It's all about "payin it forward!"

I couldn't stop smiling... this morning, while on a short break from classes, I took the underground train to a busy street in the city and then caught a bus to take me down the street to where I needed to go.  It is my all time favourite flower shop, and they always do an exquisite job on putting together beautiful arrangements.  The young man behind the counter recognized me immediately, commenting on how my hair had grown since I was last there, and commented on my wonderful taste in flowers.  (Personally, I figure he was just trying to butter me up for the money I was about to spend with them, but I wouldn't have gone anywhere else)

The bouquet was then ordered "anonymously" for the receptionist who, while having to work Saturday, Sunday (until 10pm) and then yesterday - still managed to show up with a bright smile on Tuesday morning.  And these... are the pictures from the card.  The image that is cut out of the last picture, is Winnie the Pooh playing the flute.  After saying, "You are... exceptional, one of the best kept secrets of the program, wonderful, family, fantastic, #1, smart, unbeatable, voted (insert city name here) best, amazing, unbelievable, magic in action, fantastic, a star, remarkable, on fire, the greatest, super, happening, unique, the ultimate, a keystone"... the handwriting (disguised) reads: Anna, the program could not be what it is without your "unsung" musical contributions (!!) and harmony line.  Thank you so much for all you do!!

The bouquet was supposed to be delivered for 3:00pm this afternoon so that it would be there long before I showed up for training, yet cleverly delivered on the day that I would be in the office anyway (hopefully eliminating my name from the possible suspects, as I would have just brought the bouquet in if coming in anyway).  However, it showed up while I was there.  A bit off-putting, as I tried to stay out of the way, yet dodge questions when I was asked who might possibly do such a thing... but, all in all - it was great!

Her words were, "I just.... wow... how could... huh..." Hopefully she will go home, bathing in the fact that her endless hard work does not ALWAYS go unnoticed, and trust that she is loved, appreciated, and "belongs"

I think that's all we really need, isn't it?  To know that, on some level, we belong.  Whether it is to our work community, within a circle of friends, a church or worshipping community of some kind or a family... at the end of the day, we just need to know that... while often unspoken... we belong.  

A lesson that I wish more people would advocate, teach, and pray for.  But hey... I'm just one seekin' youngin... all I can do, is my personal best, each and every day.  And today... I did just that!  I would be interested in hearing what you have done or have had done to you that got the point across.  

Being the voice of the voiceless

Okay, so I will be the first to admit that I have broken a few rules in my short time; this confession is shortly followed by also saying that this is a huge understatement.  However, even through all these wrongs, when I see an injustice... I rarely keep my mouth shut and turn a blind eye.  

The other night I had to make a quick run to Wal Mart to pick up the economy sized laundry detergent and fabric softener so that when I head back to school on Monday morning, I won't go smelling foul and wearing "unsoftened clothing".  I kid you not, the temperature was registering  -36 C when I left the house, but the car was soon warm and I was on my way into town.  Because of recent developments in the area, about seven years ago, a lovely corner farmhouse and yard was sold, demolished, and replaced by the evil (affordable) Wal Mart.  In the last few years, this location has taken over even more precious farmland to become a "Wal Mart Supercenter" (as if that's the answer our community problems!)

However, all those feelings set aside, I have decided to boycott Wal Mart.  

Cars, trucks, SUV's, and minivans FILLED the ENTIRE Emergency Access Route that runs in front of the stores doors.  Both doors - and in between, vehicles sat idling while their owners or wives ran into the store for a "quick pick up".  Now I realize that I am a youngin' in my 20's, but I am too judgmental to think that if I can walk less than a city block from my parked car to the store entrance, that THESE PEOPLE COULD TO?  Not one of them had a handicap sticker in their window - I made a point of checking.  

Am I wrong to think that the No Parking and Emergency Access Route, No Stopping signs should obviously have drawings that these idiots would understand? Perhaps drawings of stick people burning, or being carried to a stick ambulance??  The frustrating thing is that these people simply don't care.  If they only took a moment to think...

... what if it were their loved one who suddenly had a heart attack while shopping, or asthma attack, or some other medical complication?  What if the ambulance and paramedics were delayed in getting the life saving equipment to their mom, dad, brother, sister, wife, husband or child??  Would the 45 second walk from the proper parking lot to the door then be such a huge issue for them to undertake?  

... what if it were them, inside of the store, when a gunman opened fire?  Would they think differently about all those jerks who parked in the path of the RCMP officer that showed up to save their life?  

... what if they were inside the store or had family inside of the store when there was a bomb threat and time is of the essence in locating and safely removing the bomb - would they still be so keen to park in the way of the people who would show up to help?

Having worked in a hospital setting, why is it that no one is stupid enough to park their car in the clearly marked ambulance bay, knowing that it's there to help prolong the life of the critical ill or in danger - and yet... they are willing to do so at the local shops?  And having worked in the service/tertiary industry, as clerks we regularly practiced the drills for a lost child, a bomb threat, a fire, a medical emergency, and a dangerous customer... I refuse to believe that we spent all that time for nothing.  We cared enough about our customers to be prepared, am I supposed to believe that customers don't care enough about each other to give a hoot about saving a life?  

The local blood clinic advertises that if you donate your blood, you are saving up to four lives.  Perhaps the signs in front of Wal Mart ought to read, "Park where you are supposed to, you could save hundreds of lives; Park Properly Today"

I refuse to believe that this is acceptable; I also refuse to believe that our society is incapable of stranger love and respect of human life, always placing ourselves above and beyond anyone else.  Finally, I refuse to believe that this a problem that is unsolvable.  

Please speak up.  That woman who needs an ambulance and only has moments to continue breathing with oxygen and medical attention is someone's grandmother, someone's sister, someone's best friend, someone's soulmate, someone's wife, someone's mom... and a beloved child of our God.