10:02 a.m. | 2005-11-14 Important Things. I had to go back to the dentist today. I don’t hate dental appointments yet I don’t look forward to them either. I don’t have a lot of dental problems, rather I have just enough. And, it’s been awhile since I’ve sat in the chair for some serious work. Right around 40 years of age, all the medically inclined seem to magically appear. Suddenly, it’s about mammograms, cholesterol levels and crowns. Certainly, it can happen before you get to be my age, but it’s suddenly rampant for me. I left work today, without a thought, and drove to my dentist’s office. After I got all settled in the chair, the dental assistant started routing around my hip area – which, frankly, made me quite uncomfortable. Until she asked if it was okay to check out my ID. That might seem odd, but she wasn’t out of line. I carry my actual ID in my purse, but I’m required to carry another right about my hip area. Well, I don’t have to carry it there, but it’s convenient to clip in onto my pants right next to my pedometer. Personally, I think she only noticed it because I’ve pinned my swag from Mare onto my ID. The universal ASL “I love you” sign is something that a person would notice. Especially when it’s on my badge because, where I clipped it? It’s at an upward angle. It looks happy. But, here’s what happened. (DentalPerson:) Can I look at this? (Grabbing my ID) (CI:) Sure. (DP:) Oh, you’re important. What do you do? (CI:) (Huh?) Um, this kind of thing. (DP:) That’s important. (CI:) Um, yeah. I suppose. What’s really important is that Frankie’s message is on my badge. At least, that’s what I was thinking. And, I’m quite sure that’s what caught her eye. I’m also relatively sure that she thinks what I do is important because she doesn’t know what it is. (I abhor telling people what I do for that reason alone. No one in my family and none of my friends could tell you what I do. The most boring job ever, I suppose, except I enjoy it.) However, I know that doesn’t make it so. I absolutely don’t know squat about dentistry so I think what they do is really important. And, much more practical. I really can’t dismiss what I do, but I can’t make your teeth all pretty and I don’t know much about gingivitis. It’s odd because I just do the work that I do and it doesn’t seem really important. Yet, when I think about it, it is. It might just be the most responsible work I’ve ever done. Yet, at the same time, it isn’t. I’ve never thought of it like that before. If I didn’t do my job, someone else would. I’m certainly replaceable. I guess that’s why I’ve never thought that what I do is important. But, I can’t suggest that it’s not. It might not be as practical as dentistry, but I suppose it’s just as necessary. Don't forget though... they have numbing medication. Sometimes, that can make all the difference in the world. your thoughts? seed flower