For having seen a new dentist for me for only 5 or 6 times over the last few years . . . my, what an impact. I was instantly "sold" when I first met her, and that first impression only matured into something more. The obvious strong competence in her profession, her physical beauty, her personality undoubtedly transcending both those first two factors.
I last saw her as a patient on the day her husband passed away in a tragic accident. She and I talked with her not knowing about what had happened. Nor certainly did I. It was only several days later that the newspaper reported on her husband's fate, and putting two and two together (with confirmation from her office staff) I realized that my interaction that day had been while her husband had died and she had not known about it yet. The newspaper report also mentioned her medical diagnosis which I had not realized she was battling. I cried a lot that day realizing what I'd learned.
And when her office emailed me Monday with the ultimate news I'm not ashamed to admit that I lost another day in grief and tears. It is not often in life that you realize you've had the good fortune to have met and known someone -- however briefly -- whom impacted and affected you more than you could have ever realized.
I have not said anything that is any more or less than what her many other patients feel, I'm sure. I luckily have visited and much enjoyed Montreal, and I take some small relief in realizing that she has returned there/home for services.
RIP
“In your light I learn how to love. In your beauty, how to make poems. You dance inside my chest where no-one sees you, but sometimes I do, and that sight becomes this art." Rumi