There may be another 600+ to go but today is still a milestone. 100 days in braces.
Can you see the few grey hairs coming out? It’s taken me a long time to start going grey, but it’s slowly beginning to happen.
When I first got the news of the enormous extent of work needed to correct my oral issues, it came as such a shock. I just could not believe that 2 or more years of work was required for me to have perfect oral function. I wrote about the information appointment here. I didn’t come close in that blog to putting into words how overwhelmed I was. Clearly I played down the emotional effect of the appointment. I didn’t write about the blubbering Helga sitting in the orthodontist’s car park on the phone to Mike afterwards, miserably telling him all the bad news. The orthodontist had also asked why I hadn’t bought my husband to the appointment. I was horrified at that. I thought to myself, “Don’t judge my marriage by my husband not being here”.
Sometimes life throws us a curve-ball and this sure was one in my life. Once I had adjusted to what was to happen, I moved forward with intention. I pulled myself together and did what needed to be done. There are 5 things that I’ve experienced over the last 100 days in braces:
- They are not as sore as I thought they would be. Nah, not at all.
- I can eat a lot more stuff than I thought I would be able to. Nuts, mielies, spare ribs, toast, whatever, anything goes as long as I’m careful.
- People do stare. I can see them looking at my braces. If they look for too long, I put them out of their misery and open the conversation about them. They need not be the elephant in the room. With the staring does come an unsettling feeling of being self-conscious. I think to some people I am the ‘lady with the braces’.
- I have got used to them. Initially I felt they were enormous chunks of metal —think Jaws..
Now they feel like they look. They are there but not obtrusive.
5. The 5th thing I have experienced is possibly the most surprising emotion of all. RELIEF. For 4 decades I’ve had issues. At last I’m doing something about them.
Grateful!
1 Peter 1:2
God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and His Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed Him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Ultimately, it’s not about teeth and it’s not about here and now. It’s about eternal life – it’s about what I will be experiencing in 50 years time, all through knowing Jesus Christ now. That’s what it’s about.
These are the days.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂
Gym:
- 20 minute hill walking on the treadmill
- 40 lengths in the pool – it was good to swim again.
Braces:
100 days!