I haven’t blogged since Haiti. It was hot as it’s in the Caribbean Sea, no doubt. I think I drank a small swimming pool of bottled water.  Being one of the rookies on the trip, it was an emotional experience that I think I am still processing.  The others tell me this is quite normal for the first time.  It was tough to see the abject poverty there.  Small children running around naked, or people wearing cast off clothes and even the t-shirts of teams that didn’t win a championship but they had the shirts made anyway. There was lots of trash everywhere and the roads were hit or miss.  The drivers there are all world class as they content with potholes, cycles, and no lines but I never saw an accident once.  They love to paint their cars and vans and wash the motorcycles of the dust.  And often I saw “thank you Jesus” painted onto the vehicle. Quite moving to see God thanked for so little in their nation contrasted to our where religion of any stripe is often the subject of the last acceptable discrimination.

The orphanage had security guards with shotguns as did the hotel. The kids all dressed up for Church on Sunday and were so happy to see us (even though we are dentists) and one girl gave me such a sweet hug that it almost rivalled that of my daughter’s. Almost.  Very close second.  They don’t have the things our kids here have and I believe they are happier and more grateful than kids here. Sadly, adoptions in Haiti are quite rare as many of these kids have parents but the kids were left there because the parents could not afford to feed them.  Adoption would mean the parent(s) and other family members rejecting them so that another could actually adopt the child.

Coming home was tough. I felt like a prize ratbag for having air conditioning and food in the cupboard and fridge.  I walked into my office Tuesday morning and felt happy and guilty I have AC, chairs that move, materials that aren’t close to expiration, a light, both types of suction, an assistant, etc.

Overall, I was happy to go and help what little I could in the time in spite of my emotional roller coaster ride.

It’s been hectic lately. The past two weekends have been busy with dental meetings.  The first was a leadership retreat for the Tennessee Dental Association.  The most recent one was the annual Tennessee Academy of General Dentistry meeting.  There was travel involved to get to both.  I should be looking forward to rest and relaxation with Labor Day weekend, right?  Well, not so much, I’ll be travelling to Haiti as part of a mission group, I’ve never been there and I don’t speak French. This particular group that I am going with is not a faith based mission group, it is just a medical based group. I’m wondering how this experience will affect me, as we’ve all heard stories about how poor this nation is. I don’t consider myself wealthy (how can one when you have debt) but in comparison, I’m sure it will be humbling as I’ve never been on a mission trip of any sort before. My mom, who is in questionable health and her upper 70’s, is traveling to Italy at the same time, she hasn’t flown since 1988! I’m rightly concerned how she’s going to do there as we’ve had to do a bit of prep work to get her ready. I’m a bit jealous of her as I’ve never been to Italy, in spite of my heritage. Though she has issues, she has a great passion for life and living it.  To borrow a word from my eight year old daughter, I’m nercited. If that’s a new word to you, let me explain it. She said it’s when you are both nervous and excited. I’m excited to serve others and experience this “once in a lifetime” trip, but nervous for my mom and myself as we take separate paths experiencing these opportunities.

August seems to be THE month for me to hire great employees!

Tracie, my lead hygienist, has now been here TEN years. Tracie has been with me through thick and thin and has a devilish penchant for trying to scare people from behind walls or sneaking up on them.  It seems to be backfiring though lately as the walls have been allegedly moved and she keeps hitting herself on them!  Tracie tells great stories and does many small behind the scenes things, some of which I may never know, to help this place run like it does.  Thank you!