Two Score And Yesterday

So forty years is how long my parents were married until forty years ago, on March 6, when my dad passed away. And forty years can seem like not nearly enough or forty years can seem like forever.

Yesterday I celebrated a #40 myself. And yeah, I wish there were candles involved. So I’m proud to sign-in Temple City Dental Care as a proud member of the mythical (in my own mind) freakin’ Forty Year Silver Circle.

I can vividly remember, when back in 1976, Doc Bob Ewing paid me a welcoming visit and even handed me over some of his patients, some of whom he’d served for more than forty years. And at the time, I thought forty birthday candles looked a little like the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

And I was a little sad because Anniversary Day was almost an afterthought; no hoopla, no parade, not even a little Taco Tuesday field trip.

But I wasn’t raised in a cave and I didn’t attend The Donald School of Etiquette. And reflecting can be harder than push-ups for guys like me. This time though, reflecting was easier than finding road apples in Bakersfield…because I could see the word “Thanks.”

I literally practice gratitude right out loud every day. So if you see me going down Huntington at 6AM and it looks like I’m debating my imaginary friend…it’s okay.

Some of it goes like this: “…I’m grateful for my education, being a dentist, having my own business, doing something I love and working with people I love. I’m grateful for the patients we serve; for being healthy and active and still thinking young. And I’m grateful for my opportunities and my everyday challenges…”

No wonder two score and yesterday went by faster than a speeding bullet.