Instilling a strong work ethic, and family values in our youth.

Recently I was called to a farm to write health papers on some cattle that would soon be traveling to a stock show.  The owner of the farm was very enthusiastic to have me there, and to show off his cattle.  He quickly invited me into the barn, and began regaling me with the genealogies of each of the cattle we looked at.  His wife was also in the barn, she was busy brushing, blow drying and generally beautifying the animals.  Then he began to preach to me on the work ethic, and family values that showing animals instills into children.  As I'm listening to this speech I notice his two children sitting in the corner of the barn, their noses buried in their phones, completely unaware that I am even there.

As his speech drags on, my mind begins to drift and I find myself being drawn back through the mists of time.  As the mists clear I'm standing in a different time and place.  Before me I see two brothers working together to prepare their own steer for a stock show.  The younger brother is holding the lead rope on a nervous animal much larger than himself, as the older brother sprays both the steer and the younger brother (I'm sure quite accidentally) with a cold hose in an attempt to give the animal a bath.  Just then a friendly neighbor drives by, honks his horn, and yells "Looking good boys!"

The honking of the horn turns the already nervous animal into a one animal stampede.  With the little boy hanging onto the lead rope for dear life.  How he's able to keep up with the animal I'm still not sure.  Occasionally a foot seems to touch the ground, but not as often as you think it should, and it seems as if at any moment he'll land squarely on his face.  Meanwhile the older brother with visions of a big paycheck at the end of the stockshow quickly evaporating before his eyes, as his steer darts in and out of traffic, is in hot pursuit.  He's carrying a pitchfork, and yelling at his younger brother.  "If you let go of that D@&$ rope, I'll run you through with this pitchfork!"

Just then the farmer asks me "So, what do you think?"  This snaps me back to the present, and I respond, "Oh, absolutely.  I couldn't agree more.  Showing animals is great for children!  And if nothing else it might prepare them for the track team."

"What?" He asks.  "Never mind." I respond.  "Here are your kids health papers, good luck at the show."  As I walked out of the barn, the kids were still staring at their phones.  Somehow I don't think they'll be making the track team.  But at least they're developing a strong work ethic.

My lucky day.

     I have always hated the dentist, at least for as long as I can remember I have.  One of the first dental visits I remember, I wedged myself under the seat of the car and hung on to the springs so that my mother couldn't get me into the dental office.  Incidentally that was also the day of one of my greatest triumphs.  The day I caught a rabbit with my bare hands at the clinic, only to have to let it go to go to the stupid dentist.  I don't know who screamed louder that day, the rabbit on being caught or me on finally being dragged out from under the car seat into the dental office.
     When I was older my parents made me get braces.  These were put on by an Orthodontist, which in my opinion was just a fancy word for Dentist, and I hated him just as much.  Another one of my proudest moments happened in the Orthodontists office.  The poor technician had to make a mold of my teeth before they could put the braces on.  They jammed this stuff into the roof of my mouth.  I tried to pantomime that it was running down the back of my throat, and that I needed to take it out.  They technician who worked for the evil Dentist wouldn't let me.  So I didn't feel bad when I threw up all over her.  I'd tried to warn her, but she wouldn't listen, I think she had it coming.
     Another time at the Orthodontists office, I was there for a tightening.  They took the rubber bands off, and left me alone in the room.  So I got up walked out, and said "Come on Mom, we're done." 
     When it came time to leave on a mission for my church they wanted me to get a dental exam first.  It was the Dentists opinion that I should get my wisdom teeth out before I left for my mission.  But he signed my papers saying I'd had the dental exam, and said "Set up an appointment to come back and get those taken out on your way out the door."  So I said "You got it Doc."  Then proceeded to walk right out the door without talking to anyone.  It's the lie I told so that they'd let me go on a mission, so I could teach people about the importance of following Jesus' example, by doing things like being honest.
     As you can see I really don't like Dentists, you might even call me an anti-dentite.  Sure you might say I was a rotten little brat, and you'd probably be right.  You might even say that my Parents should have given me a good whipping and blistered my behind, and you'd probably be right there too.  But it still wouldn't have changed the fact that I don't like the dentist.  So when I showed up for a Dental checkup yesterday, and the lady at the reception desk said "I'm sorry, but you're hygienist is sick today.  We've been trying to reach you all day to let you know.  We're so sorry but we're going to have to reschedule you."  Inside I was doing cartwheels, it must be my lucky day.
I think that was the kindest I've ever been to anyone at a Dental office.  The poor lady was all ready for me to be upset about having my time wasted by coming in when they couldn't see me.  I just smiled and said "Don't worry Ma'am it's quite alright."