When you go in for a dental check up and get more than a teeth cleaning.

While, getting my teeth cleaned I found myself in deep conversation with the dental assistant. We were talking about our kids, and we couldn’t believe how fast summer has gone by. My mouth full of cold dental tools and water as I listened intently to her wise words.  

  She said, “we only really have 18 summers with our children and if you think of it, that’s not very much.” 

 As we approach the final days of summer and there’s talk and preparation, and excitement, and nerves about going back to school I think of this.  18 summers is not that many. And as I drive my 17-year-old to her last band camp I can’t help but also feel a bit melancholy.  I watch her smile and say bye mom as she grabs her band gear and makes her way to the band building. I can’t but help see the little version of her going four years ago. Where has the time gone? 

I think there is something to say, about these precious and bittersweet summers as we watch our children grow and go from doing sidewalk chalk, eating an ice cream cone or popsicles while in their jelly sandals. Watching them get excited as they put their little toes in the sand. To jumping into their first double digits , cartwheeling across the grass, flipping on the trampoline, eating smores, laughing and or biking into the summer sunsets

 Then suddenly they’re entering their early teenage years, headphones on, they start to develop a voice, and a music preference.

Then its their sweet sixteen summer is here, and then alas their 17^th summer.  In a blink of an eye, they stand there older, more confident, and there’s a gleam of hope and dreams in their eyes as they talk excitedly about the future before them.   

I will always remember this dental checkup.

I surely got more than just clean teeth (which I am grateful for) but the lessons I received from the dental assistant were truly a golden nugget moment.  Thank your dental assistant that reminds you to slow down and enjoy each summer day and night with your children because it truly goes so fast. Enjoy those moments of when they  ask to be pushed on the swing to just listening to them laugh on the phone or sing a tune in the car.  Time is the most the precious thing. I write this as the bitter sweetness of the 17^th summer, 13^th summer, 10^th summer, and 6^th summer, has come to an end with my children.  Thank you dental assistant for you’re the gift you shared with me.