2001-02-07 - 23:59:24

Ties

NOTE: I have a new guestbook, one that actually WORKS! I just got sick of the problems I had at my old hosting site. Big thanks to my pal Sinnamon for setting it up for me.

Yesterday I went to see the dentist. It was not exactly fun. In fact, my dentist appointments recently have been more frequent and painful than I would like. I've been having problems, mainly with my gums. I haven't been talking about it much, mainly because it's gross. It is just another one of those petty ways that your body can betray you once you are on the dark side of 35.

Those of you who are younger than 30 - I'd recommend that you brush your teeth and floss them at least once a day. Believe me, it's a bummer to have your teeth hurt all the time. You'll thank me later.

This has been a public service announcement.

But that's not what I wanted to talk about today.

After I had my teeth cleaned, I talked to the receptionist about getting an appointment for Lily. She's new in town, and of course she needs a dentist. We were trying to set up an appointment for her so that we both could come together. It was hard to work it because I am seeing two dentists and the appointments are staggered. Finally we made an appointment for her in April and one for me in August. Eventually, over our next few appointments, we'll try to bring them closer together.

But that got me thinking - the next several appointments? That will be years! Even my next appointment in August - that's near where Lily's birthday is and the month after our 1 year anniversary. Another two appointments and that will be two years. That would make Lily's and my relationship the longest I've had in over a decade, and I think the longest one she's had ever.

For Lily and I the future is a little hazy. The career path she's chosen may force her to move to another part of the country, while I must stay put - tied here by the store and the house. Could we survive that? I very much want us to stay together and so does she, but we have to be patient before we make more concrete plans.

And yet - what are dentist appointments? One of those miniscule, involuntary ways where your future is planned out for you, a little bit at a time. One of the ways that life ties you together while you aren't paying attention.

There was a time when such things made me nervous, made me aware that I was moving into something that would be tough to back out of. I don't feel that way now. What's going on between Lily and me just seems to get better and better. In fact, you know what I say?

Tie me up, baby!