Ideas that deserve more space

Every once in a while I find that I have a hodge-podge of stuff that I've been waiting to write about, but the right occasion never comes along. I usually wait for a slow week, or a time when I don't feel like doing any actual thinking, or a time when expressing the real topic on my mind would offend someone. At these times I reach into my bag of ideas and do a post on one of these preconceived themes. Unfortunately though, some of these subjects are time sensitive, and if I don't get them out soon enough then they tend to expire. This becomes difficult then, when every week in the foreseeable future has a definite theme that is more-or-less forced by the circumstances, and you have a bunch of other stuff that you want to get out there as well but it just doesn't seem to fit anywhere. As a result of this conundrum, you get a post like this- where each idea deserves much more attention than I am giving it, but where getting it down permanently becomes much more important than getting it out well. So there you go. Enjoy!

Topic One: Kids Camps

This summer has been a blast for everyone with no stops along the way. When school got out we called a family meeting and got out a calendar. We then made a bucket list of what we wanted to do, and blocked out times for the bigger items on the list that didn't lend themselves well to spontaneity. Most of these things were scheduled camps and activities for the kids, as well as family trips and special weekends. Some of these things are what I want to mention here.

The three older kids are attending Camp Ka-mee-lin for two one-week sessions. Each session has its own theme, and the camp runs from 7:00 in the morning to 6:00 at night. At the end of these days the kids are totally worn out from crafts, games, swimming, and activities, and usually come home to a quick dinner before heading off to bed. The first week is already finished, and the second will be next month while Rachel is away on a cruise. It's pretty awesome. Besides this, each of the kids have their own camps/classes that they picked out for themselves.

Jackson had his first- "Champ Camp." It was a week-long, full day camp where they played sports all day. His favorite was basketball and since finishing he has been very interested in practicing his dribble. He also got an award at the camp for "hardest worker" (everyone got individual awards) which I am not surprised at. Of all our kids, Jack is definitely the best at setting his mind to a task and then sticking with it until it is completed to his satisfaction.

Addy's camp came next- drama. This was also a week-long thing where they did singing, dancing, and acting. At the end, they did a short play that combined the tales of the three little pigs with Little Red Riding Hood. Addy played the part of Little Red and did a great job. She told me beforehand that she was nervous, but that it was okay to feel nervous because it was still fun. That sounded like something Addy would say- she seems to have gotten the "courage" gene from somewhere and is very good at throwing herself outside of her comfort zone, whether it be on the stage, in social settings, or in outdoor adventure pursuits.

Evelyn's camp is coming up next week- art. This is no surprise to anyone, and she is very excited about it. She made herself a "picture journal" the other day (I think she got the idea from Grandma and Grandpa?) and has been making drawings of the things she does. Some of these pictures will probably end up on this blog.

Topic Two: Favorite Patients (*Some details are changed to protect identities*)

One of my favorite parts about my job is meeting new people every day. Most of these people, of course, see me merely as the "tooth fixer." They come because they need a service which I happen to provide. They are friendly, and we enjoy small talk (all too often involving right-wing politics, hunting, and guns...there are some downsides to living in Idaho), but for the most part we each go our separate ways at the end of the appointment and never think about each other again.

But then there are those who form connections. This is almost inevitable, for better or for worse, when there is a lot of treatment to get done and you see the person on a weekly basis. It is also normal when you discover common interests, forming a thread of conversation that resumes each time you see the person. Either way though, bonds of friendship are often formed. These are the people I wish to mention here.

First, there is "Chris S." One day, Chris came in for an extraction and casually asked if it would be okay for him to go rock climbing the next day. My response: "As your dentist I would advise you not to- and as a climber, I would totally understand if you did." This began a long conversation that has continued each time the patient comes in.

Then there is "Stephen F." who has lived with his partner for almost forty years, but because of a certain supreme court decision was just barely able to get married last week. Two days before his wedding he had a dental emergency that I was able to take care of- I didn't charge him for it and told him to consider it a wedding gift. He cried and most of our office cried for him (happy tears), and we went away each having affected one another for the better...as it should be.

Next, there is "William S." William loves the theater and plays in minor acting roles every now and then. Because of this, we went to great lengths to make the perfect denture for him, and along the way a friendship was formed. We talk a lot about different shows and fine arts and theater groups, and he even invited Rachel and me to a VIP event where we got free tickets. He is definitely a picky patient, but the friendship we have formed has been worth the effort.

We can't forget "Emily D." of course. Emily is into books, and we often share reading suggestions. Beyond that though, we share a love of reading- of good writing, of interesting ideas, and of diverse topics.

Or "Roger B." Roger is an older gentleman who was a very good long-distance runner in his youth and understands the joy and pain of pushing one's self past the breaking point.

Or "Janis J." who was a hippie in the 60s and tells some wild stories, or "Carl S." who is a pre-med student with a passion for science, or "Martin K." who is a liberal pastor and enjoys talking philosophy. There are all sorts of people I meet, and many of them make me stop and think about how, if I were to simply pass by them at the grocery store, I would never know how unique and interesting their personalities were. And then I realize that this is the same for everyone else too- that for all the people I don't meet or talk to- that each of them probably has their own story that deserves to be told. 

And I just consider myself lucky that sometimes they choose me to tell it to and to bring into the circle of people they call friends. These relationships, to me, are probably the most rewarding part of my job.

Topic Three: Old Friends

In the past year it seems that I have connected with a lot of old friends and acquaintances, and it has been fun to catch up and see where we have all ended up since we last said our goodbyes. From mission companions to college roommates to friends in Cleveland- many have followed similar life pathways as Rachel and I- and some have not. But it is always fun to reunite.

I have often thought about what it would be like to have a crystal ball that could see into the future. I have wondered anxiously what that future holds, not only for myself, but for my kids, or siblings, or different people I have known through the years. The desire to look would be so strong. But would I? I don't know. It would be hard not to. At the same time, looking would remove the uncertainty, which couldn't help but erase much of the excitement of living life. Fortunately (I think it's fortunate), we do not have any such device. 

Coming together with people after prolonged absences seems almost like the same thing though. They were one person the last time you saw them- and now they aren't any more. They have changed and so have you. And in the moment you realize that it is almost like looking into the future from a past that can't help but remain static in your mind. And then you go about the business of learning about this new person who resembles the old just enough for there to be a common bond already formed. Maybe there is actually something to learn in that old kid song- make new friends but keep the old- one is silver and the other gold. It's true.

Us with Scott and Kate- some good friends from Cleveland. They stayed for a couple of days as they were on their way from Sacramento, California to Island Park, ID (just a small detour, right?). This picture is a breakfast we went out to before I had to go to work (that's why I'm all dressed up). It was great catching up with them.

Topic Four: Bonus Pictures. Lots of pictures.

These are just some pictures of things we have been up to lately that I haven't had time to write about:

Pictures from the annual "Body by Scotty" gathering.

These ones, as well as the next few are from the Cedar Grove we visited last weekend

"It's the climbing wall tree!"

This is how Jackson did most of the 2 mile hike. He looks like a wild child. He is a wild child.

Addy's quote "I love it out here- It's so big and beautiful and AMAZING!"

Evelyn found a wasp nest. Fortunately it was empty.

Everyone got pretty far ahead and Jackson and I had to run several hundred yards to catch up. I was genuinely impressed- this guy is a great runner!

Of course Evelyn and I had to make our fairy house. This has sort of become our thing. I like it.

These next ones are from when Rachel and Evelyn had a day long Silverwood/Boulder Beach date. Evelyn did her first inverted roller-coaster that day (The Corkscrew- which also happens to be the first looping roller coaster ever invented. Yes, we have a famous roller-coaster here. And yes, it is that old.)

The next several pictures show some of the things Rachel has been doing with the kids while I am at work:

Bowling day with Maren while the other kids are at camp. Bowling is now Maren's new favorite thing ever.

Remember all the candy they got at the parade? This is how we get rid of it quickly- the unused pieces mysteriously disappear, but the kids don't notice since they have cool gingerbread houses.

Recycle Man- the official mascot for the Spokane Indians minor league baseball team. Yeah- it's a thing here.The women fawn over him. It's weird. 

Science experiments. This is how the kids leaned what eggs are for in recipes (and how to design a blind controlled experiment).

And finally, the poster for the amazing production Rachel and I recently saw for Singin' in the Rain. Wow. This is just a fun show, with amazing music and even more amazing dancing. I think I smiled through the entire thing- especially when there was a real rainstorm on stage (followed, for good reason I'm sure, by the intermission). It was absolutely perfect.