[2022-08-09] Our own cheerleader
My dental hygienist is a kind, soft-spoken woman. We've known each other for some 20 years. She has watched my children grow up.
Today, during my cleaning appointment, she handed me sunglasses. It's a practice she uses with all her patients, the vast majority of whom—I imagine—accept the offer. But I politely declined, as I have for 20 years. My dental hygienist apologized, as she has each time she has forgotten my preference. It didn't bother me in the slightest: never has and never will.
You see, she remembers my name and the names of my husband and kids (who are also patients of hers). She remembers our triumphs (such as Mel's job or Shane's new home) and our tribulations (such as my cancer treatment). She asks how my family is doing and smiles when I report that all is well. She tells me I look young and haven't aged a bit. She asks that I say hello to Chris and the kids.
And today she gave me a hug.
So often, we (especially we women) beat ourselves up for the one thing we got wrong and forget the nine things we got right. And sometimes, the people around us reinforce that distorted view.
Occasionally, the kind people in our lives remind us of our good qualities. More often than not, though, we need to be our own cheerleader, recalling the attributes that make us unique and valued. Our smile. Our ability to make other people feel good about themselves. Our ability to remember a bounty of little details about another human being—a quality that my dental hygienist possesses in abundance.
