Pieces of my puzzle

    There are people that just seem to 'fit' in my life. I don't have to work at my relationship with them, it's always there, right where we left off, no matter how much time has passed.  I think about these relationships occasionally and there are a few people that immediately come to mind.  Without even talking to them, they give me courage to face challenges and the strength to keep trying when I want to give up. They are my 'forever friends'.  Today I discovered two more forever friends I hadn't considered, my dentist and his assistant.
     My struggle with dentists over the years resembles that of a person who has poked a bee hive with a stick and is just staying ahead of the swarm in the escape. It's been a nightmare until Dr. Franco became my dentist and Mary Ann, his/my dental assistant.
    For the first time in my half century of life, I feel like a responsible dental patient.  I don't wait until I can't stand the pain any longer before I go in.  I go every six months for my check up and cleaning..........because Dr. Franco gives me courage.  He took the time to listen to my horror stories, to ease my fear, to prevent unnecessary pain and to treat my mouth gently. He gave me back my dental confidence but it's more than just that.
    Several months ago, there was an article in our local paper about how couples met and married. It included the story of how my husband and I met.  Mary Ann and Dr. Franco called that morning to tell me they had just read it and how much they enjoyed it. I could hear their excited smiles through the phone. They said our story was sweet.
     Mary Ann and I persuaded the dental office to join in while we sang happy birthday to Dr. Franco a few weeks back, even the few that Mary Ann swore would never sing.
    This afternoon at the end of my check up, Dr. Franco said he needed to talk to me. There will be a letter coming out soon. His father is very sick, ....cancer, and is retiring from his own practice to focus on his treatment. Dr. Franco will be leaving to take over and preserve his father's practice. He felt bad and wanted me to hear it from him. I didn't realize I was holding my breath.  Then Dr. Franco said the new office was a few miles away and I let my breath out and took in another. I asked if Mary Ann would be going with him. No, there was a staff of assistants in place already.  He warned me that Mary Ann has already been in tears. She came into the room and I told her if she cried I would cry, so she left the room again for a moment.
     It wasn't even a decision for me. I will be praying for Dr. Franco and his family as his dad makes this journey.  I'm going to miss the easy conversations with Dr. Franco and Mary Ann because Mary Ann will be staying at the old office. I made plans to get together with her every once in a while for coffee (or something stronger) and I'm going to see Dr. Franco at his new office because he is my dentist and they both 'fit' my life. They are forever friends.