A good friend’s son recently announced on Facebook that he was getting braces.
His status updates on the big event were a countdown of sorts, beginning the day before, then that morning. After the orthodontist had done the deed, he posted, “Four hours down, 21 months to go.”
Oh, how I know that feeling.
I had braces, too. In fact, my mother had three kids in braces (and would have had four if my oldest brother hadn’t conveniently knocked out his front teeth in a bicycle accident and required more drastic measures).
Of all the gifts my mother gave me in life — and there were too many to list here — I look back on those two years in braces with much love and gratitude. I know they were costly, especially multiplied by three. But what an investment they were for our future health and happiness.
Plus, since the orthodontist was in Paducah, Kentucky — a 30-minute drive from my hometown — the monthly check-ups meant missing a half-day of school. Oh, how I loved those trips with Mom! We’d get the dental appointment out of the way, then go shopping or eat.
And she’d always made sure there was a treat I could eat (since so much was nixed by my mouth full of metal).
So, I hope my friend can appreciate his time ‘under the wire.’ Thanks to my mom, it put the smile on my face.
All roads lead home
We all know it’s a small world. The song says so.
But sometimes the universe puts a big ol’ exclamation point on it.
My cabbie had a different idea.
You see, he was a talker. He asked about my trip, what I did for a living, where my hometown was. Since I’m a talker, I reluctantly abandoned the nap and chatted with him instead.
(He had a French accent, so it wasn’t a hardship.)
Turns out my NYC cab driver, who hails from a French colony in Africa, attended Southern Illinois University and had a roommate from Paducah, Kentucky — a stone’s throw from my own hometown.
Coincidence? Sure…but what a fun one!
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Posted in Humor, Love, transportation, Travel
Tagged a talker, Africa, all roads lead, Business, business trip, cabbie, Chicago, commentary, French accent, French colony, hometown, Humor, it's a small world after all, life, Manhattan, New York City, Paducah Kentucky, put an exclamation point on it, SIU, Southern Illinois University, taxi cabs, taxi drivers, taxis, transportation, Travel, universe