Thursday, December 31, 2009

Gratitude, root canal and 2010

Well, this very challenging year ended with a crown that broke while I was away in the country and a root canal this morning.  

My days in the country with my friends were relaxing and fun and the root canal was totally easy.  

Interestingly, years ago, when I was in my twenties, I needed a root canal when I was visiting NY.  My friend Ruthie knew an endodontist who was just starting his practice.  He didn't even have his own office, he was borrowing someone else's so he could fix my tooth.  I don't even remember his name, but I do remember that the office was cluttered and he was nervous.  He screwed up the root canal and a big box fell off a shelf and landed on my head.  All in all, it was a pretty depressing experience.

This time, I went to my friend Maxine's husband, Dr. Paul Rosenberg.  He's been an endodontist for many years, probably close to forty.  He teaches at NYU and travels around the world giving clinics and speaking.  He did the root canal in less than an hour, there was no pain, no discomfort, he suggested I get a milk shake afterward since I had forgotten to eat breakfast.  I went to the Shake Shack and got a chocolate shake with peanut butter and he just called to check on me - I haven't had one moment of discomfort. 

Mike, the therapist I've seen over the years, said to me today, "Robin, you have been swinging through the jungle this year grabbing vines" (hands, warm and friendly hands).  I love this metaphor because Sheena, Queen of the Jungle was my heroine growing up. I used to put my mother's bracelets on my upper arms and watch the show every Saturday night. 


Having this blog as a record of this past year and writing through the pain has been incredibly helpful.  Meditating and praying has changed my life.  Gratitude keeps me grounded.  (Even as I fly through the jungle.) 


I hope that I have been as helpful to my friends over the years as they have been to me. As they say in Friends In Deed, quoting Pema Chodron, "things fall apart and things come together."  


I feel like I'm coming together, slowly.  To everyone who's read this blog and commented, thank you for the interest and support.  


Love,
Robin

4 comments:

red said...

let me be the first to comment in the new year...i don't remember your first root canal issue. but i do remember the dentist's name. harry chisling (i think i dated him for awhile...)onward and upward in 2010! hope we can get together in the not to far future...love, ruthie

Robin Amos Kahn said...

In fairness to Harry, he was young and nervous. I'm sure if it's still practicing, he's an excellent endodontist. I'm just not going to check.

Robin Amos Kahn said...

I meant to say "if HE'S still practicing." I stayed up too late last night and woke up too early.

Happy new year!

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