Gratitude

So, we haven’t provided active dental care since March 12. When I read the Covid 19 Coronavirus could be transmitted by asymptomatic human carriers I knew we needed to take a step back. When I saw mass graves and refrigerator trucks housing victims of the virus in New York City, it struck an image that remains.

When scientists seem unsure and epidemiologists appear shaken by an undefined pandemic future, “We’re all in this together” can ring hollow or at least fall short of the powerful sequence of words.

The Monday after St. Patrick’s Day, on the invitation of a colleague, I took in a 4-hour webinar on dental practices surviving Covid 19. When I mentor young people looking into a future in health service or science, I always encourage their interest. I also share they’ll never believe how much money they’ll invest in a rewarding future. The webinar addressed the pandemic and at least 90-days of no revenue and continuing bills to be paid. As I’m typing, my multiple-edited old school spread sheet is just off to my desktop right.

We will make it and when all our Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) arrives and our interior design remodeling is accomplished, we’ll be back in safe oral health business by mid-June or sooner (admittedly at a slower pace at first.)

I founded our dental practice from scratch way back in 1976. Since the Carter Administration, I’ve taken multiple weeks off twice (3-weeks off for a trip to Italy and 2-weeks during our latest Holiday vacation); didn’t see three months away from office coming. And I didn’t realize how much I’d miss dentistry and the joy of human interaction that’s really the magic.

But I wouldn’t be truthful if I didn’t confess it felt great getting 8-hours of sleep and having breakfast at home while I read a Michael Connelly novel with Sinatra and Nat Cole providing reassuring melodies at odds with the images on CNN.

And maybe the early morning music on Memorial Day Weekend started it all this morning. Out of the horror of almost 100,000 Americans being killed by an invisible nemesis also stealing away jobs, homes, and futures, Frank and Nat took me back to my parents and brother. Mom and Dad survived a pandemic, a Great Depression, and a World War II that claimed the lives of 405,000 Americans and between 70-85 million global citizens. But the war also struck closer to home. My sister Joan, born in 1942, didn’t survive World War II for the lack of Penicillin (that would’ve been available to me years later.) Joan was less than a year old when she died of a bacterial infection. It seems cruel the way history can repeat itself; didn’t think a pandemic and a depression would happen to us.

So, I began reminiscing and looking at photos and remembering experiences and travels I also never saw coming. Looking back, it was easy to appreciate and almost be overcome by the caring, generosity, and humor that had kept me safe, loved, and respectful from the time I arrived on the scene to this morning and May 23, 2020.

Covid 19 stopped us in our tracks in a heartless mostly undiscriminating fashion; it’s an existential global threat that calls for trust, respect, and collaboration. The virus demands a solution caused by people working together; it magnifies the threat to us all coming from those who divide. The pandemic also provided the chance for a step back and a look into the mirror.

I’m blessed having the chance to work with people I love and serve the community I see as family (I remind you; we’ve been together since the Carter Administration/ Late Disco.) We’ll be back soon for a fresh start and a renewed appreciation of the opportunity.

Something else happened this morning. I received a Messenger post from my Chiropractor and good friend Doc Seth (I think he was concerned.) I loved the post because it was a copied piece on JFK, leadership, and the Cuban Missile Crisis (and yeah, at the time, I wished Mom and Dad had a bomb shelter.)

The essence of the post was an analysis of Kennedy’s leadership; he was open and collaborative, he didn’t accept an easy “yes”, and was empathetic and patient. JFK wanted to understand the other guy and extend the conversation; as a result, an October 1962 agreement with the USSR was reached and we’re still here to celebrate Memorial Day and all of those who contributed the ultimate sacrifice.

Dr. Seth probably didn’t know that JFK is an all-time hero; I choke up when I hear his voice or read his words. I’m grateful for my friends who’ve become family and never fail to inspire.

Covid 19 sucks big time.

But here’s to gratitude!