I'm in my second teenagehood, minus the pimples, thank G-d. When my two oldest kids stepped up to the plate for braces, I decided to join them. BAD idea! :-) Now I know why you do these things when you're young and stupid! Seriously, it hurts, it's annoying as anything, and I'm stuck with this for about a year!

This week, I have an article in the main Mishpacha magazine that tells the amazing story of Rabbi Yehuda Simes and his family, who were involved in a terrible car accident on their way home to Ottawa. I don't want to give away too many details, but suffice it to say that Rabbi Simes was injured to a very great degree, and parts of the article focus on his gratitude for the "simpler" things in life--uh, like breathing on your own, and like swallowing.

Well, braces has been a good lesson a la Rabbi Simes, in appreciating the gift of...chewing. Who knew how much effort it actually takes to chew, when you've got wires prodding into your gums and your teeth all feel loose!

Thank you, Hashem, for the gift of chewing. And for the gift of straightening out my teeth. My kids are thrilled--at least I can empathize with them all the way through! :-)