Two years ago, I chained all my teeth together with braces. Metal mouth became I. My motto has been "pretty teeth." You see, I have had ugly teeth my whole life. Spaces here and there. Two teeth that never came again. I love genetic defects. Although, missing two teeth genetically speaking is far down the line of what is considered important and vital to life here on earth.

Once I got braces, I started noticing everyone's teeth. How beautiful, straight, white...and always comparing to my misaligned, spacious gaps in my mouth. Comparing is not always such a good thing to do. Fortunately, my comparing always led to a desire for pretty teeth rather than a jealousy or envy of the other person. My braces made me appreciate the beauty in teeth at a completely different level than before.

One of the first actions of my braces was to the bridge the great divide between my two front middle teeth. My ortho wired my teeth together, tied them together, looped them together, and all kinds of other things. Well, about a year and half after getting them on, I awoke one day to no gap in my front two teeth. I couldn't hardly believe it! I hadn't seen my mouth without a gap since early childhood.

Well closing the gap open up two gaps on either side of my two front teeth. I went from teeth like Lauren Hutton to teeth like a hillbilly. My teeth now appeared as if I had never been to a dentist. It's a good thing my mouth isn't very large as I don't think most people ever recognized the huge spaces in my mouth. I felt even more self-conscious than before. I would laugh with my hand over my mouth or close my lips when smiling.

Well today is a new day! My hillbilly teeth have been replaced with fake teeth! My ortho fitted me and locked two fake teeth in my braces. Fully bracketed and chained on, my mouth is completely full of teeth. I was shocked when I looked in the mirror. Amazing, a glimpse of what my teeth will be when the braces come off and my 'dental' implants are securely in place.

Below are some silly photos of my "before and after" fake teeth. My friend and I cackled as we took before photos. I think she about peed her pants laughing at my stupid facial expressions. The after photo was fun just for the sake of fun. I know my teeth aren't perfect yet, but they give me hope to continue the journey. So if you are blessed with beautiful teeth, say a word of praise and thanks! And if you are fortunate to have braces, say a word of thanks for an invention that can turn you from hillbilly to human.

Do you always know when you are getting a phone call you don't want to hear? I was in the middle of watching a movie late Saturday night when the phone rang. It was way past the normal time that my mother would be calling me, so I knew it had to be bad news. I wasn't prepared for the news - fearing the worst. Well, I finally summoned bravery enough to call her back. It was bad news indeed. My oldest brother has a son named Jordan who lives in Florida with his mom, Pam. The news was Pam's mother - Helen - had passed away on Friday April 4th. She had been battling cancer and now succumbed to this terrible disease. I remember Helen having stayed at her house in my early 20's. She was a lovely joyous lady who always made me feel welcome. It was like she never met a stranger. As I think about my nephew Jordan, I grieve for him as he wanders through the path of loss of a loved one. I am comforted to know she did love the Lord. Maybe one day that will comfort her closest family and friends.

On Sunday, I opened my e-mail to find one from a very dear old friend. The title had a name from my past that I hadn't heard in years - Carol. Carol was the best friend of my dear old friend. Carol had been feeling unwell for quite sometime. She too passed away on Friday April 4th from respiratory failure. I met Carol when I was a teenager. My friend and her painted ceramics every Tuesday evening. At one point, they invited me to join them. I felt honored - being 20 years their junior - to be included in their party. They talked to me like an adult, listed to what I had to say, and treated me like a friend. It was a great place of acceptance and love. Even though I haven't seen Carol in years, I will miss knowing she was here on earth. But as my dear friend said, it is better for Carol because she has been unwell for so long.

Times of death always make me think of fleeting life. No matter when it comes, it always seems to be here early. I find comfort knowing when people have loved the Lord. It provides me with peace and a different understanding into their death. It takes the edge off of the "earliness." While I will miss these people, heaven is far better than what we could ever imagine or dream. May they truly rest in the peace of our Lord.