Rosebud was awaiting her first dental appointment with our beloved hygienist, Miss Debbie, this past Wednesday morning. She had spent the past month counting down the days and the previous forty minutes eagerly watching her elder sister's teeth being counted, scraped, flossed and polished. As we sat waiting for Miss Debbie to refresh and prepare the equipment for Rosebud's cleaning, I asked the little patient if she wanted me to stay with her during the whole appointment (a challenge as I had Little Queen along). She gravely nodded her head and replied slowly and with the biggest eyes possible, "Most especially I want my brother and sister there. They can remind me not to be scared."

Brother and Sister, as it happened, were only too happy to accompany her back to the room. Almamater wiped a tear from her eye. Miss Debbie's chattering and laughing could be heard all through the waiting room for the next forty minutes. And Rosebud is already counting down the days to her September appointment, most especially because next time she gets to go first.