When You're Smilin'

My husband smiled at me yesterday...it made my day...and he opened his eyes...that made my day even better...and he squeezed my hand...even if he didn't know what he was doing...I was okay with that...it felt so good to know that even in the smallest way...he knew I was there...there by his side hoping and praying for his speedy recovery. (My Soulmate-June 17)

Good thing he didn't see my smile...I have to improve my smile...maybe for my 50th birthday I'll turn those buttercups into pearly whites...like when I was younger... never did have very good teeth...my front tooth has been capped for the past 30 years...it's ready for a new one...and my other front tooth is discolored as well...I drink too much coffee and tea (but I can't stop my coffee and tea...especially not my favorite Starbucks decaf skim latte grande)...and my upper tooth on the right has a silver filling that is starting to show through.

"What should I do," I said to my dentist at my six month check-up this past week..."should I live with my aging teeth...or should I finally make my smile brighter at 50?"

"Is it our teeth that give away our age?" I thought to myself. I better start thinking more seriously about all this whitening stuff...only six months to go to the 5-0. Should I try the Crest 5 minute whitening treatment(that's about all the time I have right now...but if I can get the process started...maybe it will work...at least temporarily ...except for the capped tooth which does not respond to whitening ingredients...and that is my front tooth...so I may end up with a two-tone smile...nope...that is not a very good idea).

My dentist recommends I get the Zoom Chairside Whitening System first...then follow with two new veneers for my front teeth...and some bonding for the tooth with the silver filling. I didn't ask what this Zoom and Veneer job will cost (will worry about that later)...I have to think about this first...but I'm getting up the courage to move to the next step...and ask to see the $$$$ signs.

My dentist is so nice...so is my dental hygenist...I know they want me to look my best for my 50th birthday...and I was so pleased to hear that my receding gum line is just that...a receding gum line...no periodontal disease...thank you Dr. R...thank you...thank you...that is one thing I didn't want to have to worry about right now...I have enough to worry about.

Then it was time to make my next dental appointment. "Do you want to make your checkup for January 2008...that's about six months from now," said my dental hygenist. "January," I said, "I can't make my six month appointment for January 2008...do you know what January 2008 is...it is my 50th birthday...and I don't know where I will be...I could be someplace fabulous...in some resort or spa in a European city where I've never been before...being at the dentist is definitely not on my list for January 2008...unless it is to get my new teeth and my new smile." "Okay," she said, "I understand...how about December 20, 2007"...it sounded so much better...yes..."December 20th it is," I told her, "and I'll let you know beforehand what I decide about my new teeth and my new smile."

Smiling has definitely been on my mind this week...from the dentist...to the hospital room where my husband will hopefully be smiling again...sometime really soon.

Yes, a smile makes all the difference...as Louis Armstrong sang...

When you're smilin'....keep on smilin'
The whole world smiles with you
And when you're laughin'....keep on laughin'
The sun comes shinin' through

But when you're cryin'.... you bring on the rain
So stop your frownin'....be happy again
Cause when you're smilin'....keep on smilin'
The whole world smiles with you

Judi