I can hear breaths that tell me the day’s insanity hasn’t yet started.

I snuggle deeper into the arms of drowsy peace.

There are dreams that taunt from the edges of reality.

Don’t wake up.

Don’t do it.

“Mommy? You awake?”

DAMN.

We’ve had the occasional bump in the aligner road.

Nathaniel has forgotten his aligners on a food tray and had them thrown away.

He forget to get his next set from the orthodontist and his teeth had started to move backwards.

But, for the most part it has been easy and and beneficial for us.

Yeah, shot is a little gross, but you can see how the year in aligners has already started straightening his bite.

I really did worry about his care and responsibilities with the aligners but he has shocked (and pleasantly surprised) us with how he has done.

As he prepares for all the changes high school brings I’m glad we made the choice, and had the opportunity, to give Nathaniel Invisalign.

Between the hard transitions from junior high and the many challenges facing a teenager these days, it’s comforting to know that we made this one right choice for him that constantly pays off for him.

Here’s to hoping his future pays off as well.

Disclosure:

While I am paid for my time, my opinion is my own and is never for sale.

You Got that?? MY OPINION IS MY OWN.**

I’m a member of the Mom’s Advisory Board, and my son received complimentary Invisalign treatment.

I was with Jackie (my helper) and Julia (my friend with the best curly hair) and my new wheelchair Bertha.

My regular wheelchair is a manual chair.

Bertha is a powerchair.

It was my first conference with Bertha. No idea, but the stirrings of the independence she gives me.

We hit Nashville.

A UTI hit Jackie.

Julia had plans that I WOULDN’T encroach on. Like dinner. And sessions. And passing kidney stones on the last night.

FYI, when the stroke victim in the wheelchair is the healthiest person in the room, you got issues.

I decided to do this conference on my own.

I could do this.

I DID do this.

It was the first time I confidently maneuvered the labyrinth that is the Gaylord Opryland by myself.

It was the first time since my strokes I arrived at at party when *I* wanted and left when *I* wanted.

It was the first time since my strokes I had a conversation in the hallway just because the person found ME interesting.

It was the first time since my strokes I truly went out on my own.

Yes, I got lost. But just once.

I was willing to ask for help when I needed it. I wasn’t embarrassed.

It was four years since I was attending Blissdom as a newbie.

But I definitely experienced a lot of things as a special brand of newbie.

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