This week, I was actually studying the process at the Endodontist office. If you don’t know what that is, consider yourself lucky. The rest of us know that the Endodontist is Root canal Specialist! And that is why I was there – a root canal.

I hate the dentist chair, I tense up in it, even if it’s just for an exam. So when you actually do work, I’m in a knot. This time was slightly different. I’ve been working on the notion lately that your mood is actually of your choosing. So I chose to take a light-hearted approach to the root canal.

Of course, I wasn’t 100% successful, but it helped. I began to observe the process going on for my benefit. A lot goes on during a root canal procedure. And it’s two people working together – the Dentist and his assistant. But there isn’t a lot of talk.

He will switch from this drill to that drill and she always knows what he needs next. Perhaps they have some non-verbal signals, although I suspect part of it is they really know the process they are doing together.

I started noticing that he would do some work, reach a stopping point and pull away. That seemed to be her cue to move in and rinse. Occasionally, he would say something that caused her to pick up pen and paper, repeat what he had said and write it down.

It was like a symphony with an invisible conductor. It was clear that they had their signals worked out. He would call for alcohol, and she would return with three different items.

It was an excellent example of team work. Each person knew their roll and knew the procedure they were doing. Things went smoothly and I found that studying their process took my mind off what they were doing to me. And I did relax, if only just a little.

photo credit, radiant guy

The next day I got an email from her. After thinking about it, she had decided to proceed with the fan page. That way she could work on her end of it while recuperating. She even wanted to send a down payment before her surgery.

When I opened the envelope later that week, there was a note attached to the check. All it said was “Here’s to Moving Forward!” I loved it. In the middle of facing surgery, she chose to look forward to what would come afterwards.

I have that note attached to my monitor, to remind me which way to look.

Oh, the surgery? Two weeks out and she’s doing well. Up and walking and even doing some work!

Today was the grand opening for Morgan’s Wonderland – the World’s First Ultra Accessible Family Fun Park! The park is dedicated to special needs individuals, their families, caregivers & friends. Special needs individuals are granted free admission and their families get in at reduced rates. They also have community days where anyone can visit the park. The park, created by Gordon Hartman, was inspired by the needs of his daughter, Morgan.

Kids who have never ridden a carousel and gone up and down can do so at this park. Kids who have never been on a swing can do so here. It is a magical place.

BMPR got to tour Morgan’s Wonderland last week. I’ve included some pictures below. But to see more pictures, visit their Facebook Fan Page.

Plus, to me, the concept of special meaning in a new year was silly. After all, it’s still the dead of winter, so what’s new?

Now March 1st is another story. To me, and most of us who live in South Texas, it means Spring – new growth, new flowers. I always think of February as dark and March as sunshine. So it seemed like a good day to make a resolution. Here’s mine:

Whenever I’m struggling with something that’s hard, I tend to find lots of time wasters on the web: following every twitter thread, reading Facebook statuses, etc. Instead, I resolve to tackle those hard issues and figure out why they are frustrating me; rather than avoiding them.

It may not seem like much, bit it is a big time waster for me. Have you given any thought to your Spring Resolution?

Gotta run now, I have a proposal to write!