Chapter 19: Creating Space

For the past 2 weeks colleagues and friends have noticed my new wrist brace and inquired about this addition to my garb. “What happened?” they ask. I like to respond with the opener, “Well, I was at the dentist the other day ...” That usually elicits a quizzical look. I explain that when I went in with a toothache, the dentist told me it wasn’t a cavity. He asked if I had any stress in my life, as he suspected my aching tooth was due to grinding. I laughed at his query. “Oh no, I have a charmed, stress-free existence, (pause) But now that you mention it, my thumb has been aching from all the typing I do. It’s grading time at the university.” My dentist responded by recommending that I get a wrist brace right away and get my thumb looked at, since small problems with the hand can get worse in a hurry. I left the dentist and went right to the drug store and got the brace. Alter a mouthful of fillings, I’ve learned to listen to my dentist.