I'm Celebrating. Cheers to You and Me!

My sleep tracker shows exactly when my tooth started aching. There is a distinct nosedive in the average over the last month in comparison with the months prior. And I might add that I’m normally an overachiever when it comes to sleep quality, which is a blessing considering menopause and all that.

But in the last month, I’ve heard that one robin that shouts at 4:30 a.m. on the downspout next to my window. And most days prior to this, I’d have slept right through his bossy demands to wake the world up.

When, at last, I was scheduled for a root canal, I saw relief in sight. Before this devolves into an “I can sit up and take nourishment” banner or I sound like an old(er) person, I’ll attempt to give you the TL:DR.

That procedure was two weeks ago, and the robin is still shouting at me in the wee hours of the morning while my face pounds out the bass line of “Another One Bites the Dust.” Oh, the tooth puns I could have fun with there! I’ll restrain. You’re welcome.

“It hurts to talk,” I say. And I can read my husband’s unspoken reply in his eyes. “Why are you still talking, then?”

Why am I still talking?
Why have I spent more money on dental procedures in my lifetime than on jewelry or nice things?
And why is that stupid molar still hurting?
When will I be able to eat something besides oatmeal, yogurt, and soup?
Who can afford teeth anymore?

These are the kinds of things middle-aged people ask, right? Today, I got answers. Infection. Second root canal . . . . . . Loading. . . . .

Next week.

But for today, I’m celebrating a few things.

1. It’s my birthday, and I’m celebrating life! Another trip around the sun.

2. I’m celebrating that cake is a soft food, and I will definitely have more than my share tonight.

3. I’m celebrating the invention of antibiotics and ibuprofen, because I cannot imagine the people of yesteryear and their toothy woes. Ouchy, as my granddaughter would say.

4. I’m celebrating the ability to earn money to pay for things like root canals. It is a gift to pay bills, and even taxes, when so many others have nothing.

5. I’m celebrating how iced coffee goes down smooth with a splash of sweet cream and pairs well with mocha.

6. I’m celebrating the many gifts God has given me in family, friends, and even strangers (they write inspiring books and substacks and remind me there is goodness in the world).

7. I’m celebrating the release of a new book in my ReMade Bible study series today. Restored will be live soon.

8. I’m celebrating a cool breeze in an open window on a June day. The flowers in bloom on my patio. The house finch outside my office window.

9. I’m celebrating YOU. Because you read this far. Because you’re a lovely human created in God’s image and worthy of love and being seen.

I raise my iced coffee and “cheers” you and me. We matter.