#39: 2MP – And they laughed.  

I get the incredible opportunity to not only SEE and CARE for families in my practice, but I also get the incredible opportunity to see the kids grow up as I am a doc they see for many years. I have a ringside seat as spectator to one of the greatest shows on EARTH – the growing child into a teen into adulthood and the show is just awesome.  

One young man who I first met as a chubby cheeked brush cut kid with a spreckle of freckles across his nose told me he wanted to be a baseball player when he grew up. That young man had put a number of obstacles in his way to make it out of high school and with the grace of God and a mother who would not take NO for an answer, he got out, all long haired, thin boned, pot smoking, all day video game playing self DID graduate from high school. He made the decision, or the lack of options as it was, to join the service and off he went. A few years later I got a private message to my office from my Office manager that someone was here to see me. I have always enjoyed this version of “What is behind curtain number 2” in my office, but I was STUNNED to see that same stoner kid now looking SHARRRRRP in his service suit, standing tall. Just STUNNED.  

And then I get to ask kids Qs as I do EVERY time they are in my office. Even if they come in as a bystander to Mom or Dad getting adjusted, they get asked a question – and that question is almost always “What did you learn in school today?” with the by far most common answer: NOTHING! On this day they very bright young girl says “we learned fractions”. “Fractions. COOL. I love fractions” I said. And taking it one step farther I asked, “So what is your favorite fraction?” “What?” she says. “Your favorite fraction. What is your favorite fraction?” Without a beat she says “4 and 4 Eighths”.  WHAAAAAT? I look at her Mom and little brother who are both looking at each other, laughing, and wondering where that came from. And they LAUGHED. We laughed.  

One of the greatest things we can do for our kids LONGEVITY is push them. Love them. Interact with them. Ask questions. Engage them. And watch them grow into their own wonderful longevity.