On the weekends, I like to go on my morning walk for fresh air and the coolness of the morning sun. My goal is to get in at least 5 miles or 10,000+ steps to keep my body agile and healthy. Old age and all the health issues women have to deal with slow down our metabolism. I listen to podcasts, news or blast my music to get my second wind in to achieve my goal. I love Saturdays because so many people are out with their activities and the atmosphere is lively. I love Sundays too, because it's quiet and calm. I admire the houses and their landscapes. The different colors in nature are more beautiful than a painting, especially when you could look at its size up close. The walk not only keeps me healthy physically but also mentally. I don't really listen to the podcasts or the news; they're background noises. But I do enjoy my music while my mind enjoys the moment. There is something to be said about walking in the morning with the cold air against your face. This is one of the reasons why I look forward to the weekends.
At the end of every December, I tend to reflect on my year of momentum. Most years, I'm so thankful and grateful for all that I have: the people in my life and around me. I'm not too keen on thanking the materials I have since I've worked hard to acquire them. I did the job. I put in the hours. Besides, materials are replaceable. But this year, I'm especially thankful that it is almost over. 2024 has so many challenges that Sleep left me like Sexy left me after the birth of my third child. I'm just hoping Sleep comes back soon. Sexy will probably take a little longer to revisit.
My year was manageable until one patient told me 2024 will be one of my unluckier year. What?! Why would you tell me that? We are at the same age, only a couple of weeks different. The fortune teller has spoken. Then I find out other people with similar birthdates were also experiencing an unprecedented amount of stress. Why? I don't know but everyone said their setback was not necessarily overcame but passed through. It didn't kill anyone but made them stronger. An unappreciated cliche for sure. So here's to 2025. There is only a climb upward from where I sit. My professor once said no good deed goes unpunished. I thought it was morbid. It turned out he was right. But I'm going to continue to believe that some of my good deeds will be appreciated and not punishment in the end. Sometimes you just have to believe against the odds. So enjoy your good and bad. Have a wonderful 2025. This year we celebrate 20 years of ownership and sisterhood. When I took over in 2004, it was a little crazy. I was naive and had no business acumen to understand how an office operates with employees, insurance plans and difficult patients whose first line of defense is, "I'm going to sue you." Dental school didn't teach business management, much less a psychology to deal with people's rolling emotions. My own experience as an associate only lead to more frustration with bastard bosses and compromising my values. But through it all, it is amazes me that this office, this little practice of my own, this little niche of dentistry has brought me so much joy. I matured with my team and patients. I learned from my older patients to appreciate life as it comes and to just keep moving. I now understand that placing my roots in one place also gives me strength and not just boredom. I am lucky to have what I have. I love my team. I love my career and of course, I love my dental families. You guys, the good 95% of you, are the best. Other dental offices should be envious of my patient population. A while back, I took note of those who have been with me from the start. I miscalculated. I can't believe there are more than 100 families who have been on this journey with me for 2+ decades. Some have been here longer than I have. Some moved away but still came back for their dental check-ups. Every time I see them, my heart gets lighter. When I see my young patients grow up, go to college, start a family, my heart smiles. What great adults they have become. So thank you. Thank you for being a part of my life and letting this team be a part of your life for 20+ years. We are humbled. Thank you for your support and trust in us. We had a patient who said, "I completely trust you" as he agreed to let me rebuild his jaws as a birthday gift to myself. He helps others but is stingy on himself so he is deserving of at least one gift. And yes, he's also going on 20+ years with us. We cannot be more joyful right now. We went for a quick break to Vegas to kick up our heels and fill our bellies. What a great time we had. ![]() ![]() Goofing around and unbeknownst to us...an audience. This month we celebrate 20 years of being your dental providers. There were definitely many changes and remodeling throughout the years. But there were also a couple of amazing people that stayed with us the whole time. Some were even there longer than I was there. I can't begin to tell you how grateful and appreciative our team is. Not a lot of people can brag about their decades long support system. We can.
Our core base not only stayed with us but helped us expand. They introduced us to their friends and family members. We witnessed many life events and are humbled by the sheer loyalty. We had many move away but still come back for their recall exams. Who can brag about having international patients? We can and it feels so good. We get to see kids grow up and start their own families, babies in bellies go to college and celebrations of milestones. We also remember babysitting those babies and doing pop quizzes with them in elementary school. It was so fun. We have this huge family that just keeps growing. We truly are so blessed. It feels like Bob and I grew up together in those 20 years. She took some time off to raise her daughter and when she came back, we didn't miss a beat. I guess it could also be because we were texting weekly?? She likes to tell patients the left hand knows what the right hand is doing even when we're bantering. My husband likes to call us "an old married couple". Me, I just say I'm the nice one. My name might be on the door but she tells me where to go in the office. She's the meaner older sister. But for some reason, when patients refer a friend or co-worker, they asked to talk to her to remind me to be nice. I don't get it! J/K...I do get it...those are the decades long patients bullying me, too! Sometimes they forget to save the insults for after the appointment and not at the beginning. So you see, after 20 years, we still love our dental home. Our patients are family...they're hilarious. We love being more than just their dental providers. We get to hear stories, share their emotions and vent. We get gifts and souvenirs from their trips around the world, in their kitchen or garden. It is amazing to be so appreciated and loved. Therefore, we want to show our love and appreciation in return. Just know we thoroughly enjoy the witty comebacks and jokes. We can't wait to hear more. We hope you like your gifts. We wouldn't be here without you. Thank you for your trust in us. |
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February 2025
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