Reunion: part two

 Before our reunion I compiled a magazine.

For the magazine I asked everybody to finish the same sentences.

I give you  a few of my favourite answers.

 

If I had not done dentistry: I would have found jokes about dentists a lot funnier.

If I had not done dentistry: not flossed as much.

If I had not done dentistry: I would have played test cricket for Australia.

If I had not done dentistry: I would probably not be able to fill holes in teeth.

 

Since 1979 I have changed: my clothes

Since 1979: I have changed: my hairstyle. You work out why.

 

On my next plane flight, I would hate to be sitting next to: Audrey Hepburn – because she’s dead

On my next plane flight, I would hate to be sitting next to: a young smelly teenager a lot like my son.

On my next plane flight, I would hate to be sitting next to: someone who points at their teeth and says, “What do you think of this?”

 

When I wake in the morning: I’m already late.

When I wake in the morning: I realise it’s a whole day before I can go back to bed.

 

I’d rather die than: wear a fluorescent vest

 

I would like a t-shirt with the following words on it: my other shirt is clean.

I would like a t-shirt with the following words on it: No root is beyond me.

 

To relax:  I drink, and read and smoke, all 3 at once.

To relax:  I drive my tractor around in circles

 

There should be a law against patients who: always think anything that breaks is the last thing you did.

There should be a law against patients who: wait till you take your gloves off, then ask you about “this tooth back here.”

There should be a law against patients who: want to answer their mobile phone whilst they are in the chair.

 

A book about my life would be called: Roots.

A book about my life would be called: Unique just like everybody else.

 

1979 as the year: We left university and began to learn about dentistry.

1979 was the year: I realised I didn’t have a plan for the future.

1979 was the year:  When I knew everything. Now I’m old enough to know that I know nothing.

 

In 10 years from now: I hope to be still working and enjoying life.

In 10 years from now: Be living in a retirement village near a convent and a massage parlor to see if I can still appreciate the difference.

In 10 years from now: I will be ten years older

 

G: One of the main reasons that I intend to carry on, is that I like most of my patients, particularly those with whom I have established friendship over the course of a number of years. I enjoy hearing the story of their life journeys. I have celebrated the birth of their children and been to funerals. I am part of their community and lives, not because I have to be, but because they want me to be.

 

P: Anyhow, throughout the whole chaotic blur of raising a busy family, there was always my "other family" .......work colleagues and a patient list that now seems to boast the young families of the children I first saw in the 1980's!!!   The way I'm going, I'll more than likely be treating their grandchildren one day!!!  (At this stage I'm happy to keep on working as long as the body holds up!!)

 

These are the sort of practices I want.

 

Thank you for reading.

 

Enjoy yourselves.

 

Alan Carlton