I met a homeless young man named Alonzo today. He bounces from house to house and lives with friemds and relatives. He did not graduate from high school and he had a job at Dominos Pizza at one time. He is covered with tattoos and is eighteen years old. He just might scare some people with his appearance. He has had three teeth aching for several weeks-keeping him up at night. Ice packs, Ibuprofen day after day to stop suffering, To all who might look at him and judge, most would be completely wrong-at least today.

I got the call from a physician who Alonzo's aunt works for and Alonzo entered my office a half hour later. I took x-rays and examined a mouth that has been neglected for sure. The x-rays showed the problem areas and he was in agonizing pain. I consulted with Jeff, my oral surgeon neighbor. Luckily Alonzo had not eaten and was healthy to be sedated.
Twenty minutes later Alonzo was under IV sedation and had his infected teeth out. Jeff went on to other things and as Alonzo was waking he was crying. A proud 18 year old needs to be cool, no crying, however people do it all the time waking up from sedation or surgery. He said the tears were tears of joy. Tears of joy as he had suffered badly for a long time. I told him to send Jeff a note of thanks and out the door he went. Saying thanks to everyone he saw.

I know Jeff did not get paid for this, it cost him money and time. Thanks Jeff. Alonzo's aunt has sent us many patients in the last year. Thanks for the patients that keep my practice healthy. As Alonzo left, face streaming with tears of joy. I thought about the difference between tears of joy vs. tears of sadness. I believe that tears of joy and gratitude are far more cleansing than tears of sadness. If gratitude is the key to abundant living, the majority of our tears should be in thanks, to God, to friends, family and to those who step aside to be of kindness to others.....like Alonzo.