Sunday, July 13, 2014

And I must let the show go on...

Hi there.

First, if you’re reading this, I owe you an apology. I know that I have committed the biggest sin in blogging by letting mine drop for—not just weeks, but months! So, first of all, I’m sorry to have been neglectful. I could offer up several reasons, but they’ll only sound like excuses.

Second, in my absence, I have had a bit of an epiphany. I have come to understand that having braces at my age is something like having a late-life baby. Here’s why.

I finally thought I had things figured out (as you do once your kids are out of diapers, walking on their own, entertaining themselves and eventually, moving out to begin supporting themselves). What I had figured out were things like: What role do I play in a meeting at work? What do I like to order when we eat out? And other basics, such as: What do I do with my face when I meet someone new? Well, of course you don’t think about those things anymore—neither did I! But now I must re-think them all. And I have readjusted. Just as one would if they were to have another child after those aforementioned darlings have moved on.

I’ve never been the most confident person; painfully shy in high school, it has always been an effort for me to “put myself out there.” Raising two children to adulthood and years of experience have contributed to me worrying a lot less about a lot of things. But now I am worrying again.

At the end of May, I went to New York City to promote my book and was—horror of horrors—asked to sit for a videotaped interview about the book and my writing process. I knew I had to make it happen, but I was extremely self-conscious, whereas had the interview been conducted just six months earlier, I could have actually relaxed! The resulting video is one that I hope never to view again; not because I said too many stupid things, but because of how my face looks as I try to talk around my braces.

However, I also know this: we are all our worst critics, so while all I see as just plain horrid, others, who don’t know me well or at all, probably won’t even notice. (Please don’t let them notice!) In the meantime, in terms of comfort, I hardly notice my braces these days…which can only mean that I’m due for a wire-tightening any day now—at which point, the achy, sore, tender, liquid diet phase begins again for a few weeks. I can hardly believe it’s been only five months since I started this process, but that’s five months I won’t have to repeat!
Going Straight

Living means taking chances, and I’ve taken several this year. As it turns out, you can teach an old (or older) dog new tricks—and the dog can have fun learning! Even if it does take a bit of courage. And speaking of old dogs; can anyone guess what song this blog’s title comes from?