Thursday, December 13, 2007

ONE YEAR LATER

Today is the first anniversary of my visit to the oral surgeon to have all my remaining teeth extracted (7) and insertions of two abutments on my lower gum to receive the bottom denture. It has not been one year that I have learned to live with dentures, because of complications with the abutments and the need to replace both them. I have lived with functioning dentures for roughly six months.

Functioning is hardly the word for it. For a part of that time I found eating not only unpleasant, but actually one or two steps down from water boarding. I told Cornie, my dentist, that I thought the lower plate should be relined. He checked it out and determined it was OK. On my own I shopped the shelves at Meijers and found a kit for self lining dentures. The instructions said that the kit gave only a temporary solution and that the dentist should be consulted. Well my temporary solution lasted for about three months before my next appointment to see my dentist.

The next appointment was for Dec. 12, one day before the anniversary date. I decided I would not remove the modifications I made to the denture so he could see that there was room for some relining material. I assumed when he saw the evidence he would concede my point and give me a permanent relining. He looked at the denture and said it looks like it is working and I can see no harm to your gums so why not go on with what you have done. A relining costs $200.00 and if the kit only costs $6.00 why change now.

This came as a big surprise to me. I didn’t know what to expect at my appointment. I was even being prepared for a scolding for fooling around with a thousand dollar piece of hardware. Instead I got by with him basically saying I did as good a job as a denture lab.

Since I didn’t get scolded, I plan to spend even more time trying to get the lower to fit even better than my first few attempts. Now at least I can eat with a certain amount of enjoyment and am getting nourished.

I still go by my admonition! Have you kids brush their teeth religiously. Consider it reformed.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

CHANGING TIMES

Back in the sixties, one of the parishioners on leaving the auditorium expressed himself in no uncertain terms that he was really worked up because one of the young men had worn jeans to the church service. During that same time period, my son had it pointed out to him by the pastor that his hair had gotten quite long, and suggested to him that it might be time to visit the barbershop.
Contrast that with this. We had a guest pastor preach for us. He noted, before getting into the sermon, that it had been a long time since he had seen so many ties as he looked over the congregation. His church is located in California. Maybe that explains the difference.
But the real indication of the changing times occurred just a week or so ago. The young people of the church were in charge of the Sunday morning service. Everything except the sermon was in their charge. One of the young men was assigned the duty of the offering. It is our custom to have one of the deacons explain the purpose of the offering and then pray before the offering is taken. That was the job of this young man. He mounted the chancel and walked over to the lectern wearing shorts and sweat sox and sneakers. Mind you, this was in November when the weather is in the low 50’s. I leaned over to the lady that sits next to me and whispered that I thought his clothing was a little casual. She said she knew the family of the boy, and that he is very warm blooded. I wonder if there is anything in the Bible that addresses the matter of how one should dress for worship in church.

Friday, November 16, 2007

THANKSGIVING PROGRAM

When Dorothy was undergoing rehabilitation at a nursing facility in Davenport, FL., I was called into a meeting with the administrative staff. The purpose of the meeting was to advise me that they thought Dorothy was expressing a desire to die, and go to her heavenly home. She was saying, “I want to go home”. The staff thought I should know this and try to determine just what she meant by the statement. They advised me that I should confront her with the possibility that she was not really talking about Grand Rapids or Haines City, FL, rather death. They felt I should let her know that I would not be unhappy with her if it was her wish to leave, that I should encourage her if that was what she wanted. Not being knowledgeable about such matters, I called my pastor Bob Korneef and told him about my encounter with the staff. He said by all means I should do just what they said. Their advice was absolutely correct. It shouldn’t be regarded as a morbid subject. I should have no qualms about such a discussion. The very next day I brought the subject up with her. I asked her, “ what home are you talking about when you say you want to go home?, are you saying you are ready to die?” She said, “oh no, I want at least five more years of life. I want to see Courteney graduate from high school, and I want to see Claire when she enters elementary school”. Well, that wasn’t God’s plan.

Yesterday I was invited to Claire’s school to see her perform with her kindergarten class in a Thanksgiving program. First of all, the program was outstanding. Those little kids had memorized a ton of songs, 13 in all, they recited by memory Psalm 100. Each one was handed the mike and said what they give thanks for this thanksgiving. Additionally, Claire gave a little speech.

I felt a little guilty that I could have the pleasure of attending the program, and Dorothy couldn’t. She would have really loved it. Some people would say, “she was watching in heaven”. Well, I don’t know about that! I do know that watching it here on earth would have been a wonderful experience for her.

Thursday, November 8, 2007

NEW START, PLUS AN OBSERVATION

I am back here at blogspot after starting here and then going to wordpress. My last post on wordpress tells why I am back here.

Just so this post is more than getting started anew, I will make a short statement. I am an avid fan of Dancing with the Stars. On the last episode Helio Canoveres (?) danced a Samba with his partner. Because he comes from Brazil and the Samba is a Brazilian dance he predicted he would do well on this one. Well he danced his competition routine with his partner and in my humble opinion did very well. After the dance the judges give comments on the performance. Len Goodman the chief judge went first. His comment was, "just because you come from Brazil does not necessarily guarantee that you can do the Samba, anymore than coming from Texas means you can be a good president". This sent the audience into an uproar. Not of disapproval, but of glee. The emcee said afterwords to Len, "well Len take heart you only offended 1/3 of the American public". (Or something like that.)