Wanna know a little fun
fact about this slacker blogger? I broke my jaw 3 years ago. Very
run-of-the-mill injury? Amirght? Nothing interesting here. Move along.
Yeah, that’s my mouth.
Wired shut. TIGHT. And that’s my very own iced-out grillz. You like?
OK. So
I added the “SS” mouth jewelry for this little story, but I was feeling quite
bling-bling, hip-hop and all back in the day. Word.
Oh, the posts I could
write on the unusual things that go along with having your teeth semi-permanently
laced together with razor-sharp metal bars and titanium twine. Not titanium?
Whatever. Nevertheless, when the maxillofacial oral surgeon says you are going to be “wired
shut,” your teeth will be on LOCK
DOWN. Trust me!
So I’ll pass for now on the story of when they unleashed
me for the first time to have a looksie at the state of my still fractured
chomper. I was positive at that moment, positive, that my jaw was going to fall
off my face. Luckily, I caught it and held it gingerly in place before it plopped down onto the floor. Whew.
I also will not tell you
about diligently trying to insert a pipe cleaner in spaces between my teeth (I
have none) so I could do a pseudo brushing. Not at all embarrassed to say how
many hours were spent on this fruitless task.
Never did I wish for a “trap-door tooth” in all that time. Had I one, however, I could sneak in
a toothbrush and use it on the INSIDE of my mouth. I could also pass through some
real food that would not and could
not be sucked through my teeth. Lived on liquids and air. Even airflow seemed
to stop and bounce off my shiny grillz. A little air here please. But again I
say, never did I wish for wish for a “trap-door tooth,” people. Never. That’s
just silly.
Also will be bypassing
this gem – being hit on and the guy questioning me, “Why would you do that to
yourself? You are already so thin?” Yes, schmoozy & brilliant man, this was
an ELECTIVE surgery?!?
TODAY marks the third anniversary of the day that I
was freed from the wires that binded me for nearly 11 weeks. Free at last! Free at last!
Breaking my jaw reminded
me of and confirmed a few things that I truly believe and these items I AM
going to share with you here:
1)
A kind or
supportive word makes a difference. There is always a ripple effect. Pay it
forward.
2)
Don’t
underestimate the magnitude of a small thoughtful gift. A lone milkshake, a box
of plastic spoons, a bag of straws, or some fancy-dancy toothpick flossers can
mean the world to someone!
3)
It really is
the small things in life! It’s amazing how an unrestrained yawn, an unbounded
sneeze, freshly brushed teeth, or simply licking your lips can bring you joy!
Don’t take the little things for granted.
4)
Laughter is
good for the soul… a merry heart is a happy heart! Laugh even through clenched
teeth if you must. It truly is the best medicine.
5)
Having not
much choice but to smile, as it was somewhat of a permanent fixture on my face,
smiling can change your mood and is contagious. Smile often & smile big! It
might not be quite as large and shiny as mine used to be… but it will make
someone’s day… and probably yours, as well.
I was thankful for all the large
and small gestures I received. Overwhelmed really.
I’m reliving that
gratitude today and am wishing all of you days filled with kind words, small
wonders, countless laughs, and happy smiling faces!
I also wish you days free
from clumsy mishaps. One can really hurt themselves.
Be careful out there!
