Function Over Form

I went to the dentist yesterday. (Look Ma! No cavities!) The gal cleans my teeth, talks to me about flossing more, gives me my toothbrush and cool flosser thing (which needs refills, but if it makes it fun, I'll spend the money) and we wait for the dentist.

The dentist comes in and we chat for a bit. I have a tooth that needs to be pulled and we talk about that appointment and they need to get an x-ray for it. Then Doc looks at my teeth.

"You have really nicely shaped teeth. Did you have braces?"

"Thank you. No. I was lucky."

"You know, your teeth would whiten really well. People with gray teeth don't get good results, but this brown color whitens nicely. It would make you look younger."

...

Yup. Now my teeth look old.

For anyone who doesn't really know me, how about we do a little math? I am 45 years old. My dad died when he was 29. That means I have outlived him by 16 years already. My mom died at 32. So, I have 13 years on her. I don't know how old my grandfathers were, but I was around 4 and around 7 when they passed away. Unless they both had more than 10 years on my grandmothers (and they may have, I don't honestly know), that would put them in their late 40's or early 50's when they passed away and I think I'm going to blow by them as well. My maternal grandmother was in her early to mid 60's when she crossed over. I have fantasies about outliving her as well. Regardless, I am healthier than any of my grandparents were at my current age and thankful for it.

It would be nice to look younger. However, it would be even nicer to feel and act younger. If I can hang on to my mind and continue to increase my strength and stamina for a little while before it levels off, I'll be ecstatic. I'm proud of every gray hair and wrinkle because that means I have earned them by hanging around long enough to get them. Don't talk to me about looking younger. Talk to me about keeping my teeth longer. What the hell good will it do me to have white teeth if I only have three left? What good does it do me to look younger if I can't walk around and take care of myself?

No thanks. I'll take function over form just about every time.