"This is a love story - Goochland style. It's not a boy meets girl love story, although there is a man and a woman and they do meet. They meet at Goochland Free Clinic and Family Services and that's where the love starts.
He is older - a retired dentist who has sold his practice but still has hands that can work and the desire to help people. She is much younger - maybe 40 years younger. Her front teeth are brownish stubs and they hurt. She doesn't smile - her hand is always in front of her mouth. She wants a better job, but can't smile at people - it looks pretty bad. Her job doesn't come with health insurance and dentists are expensive. Her husband is out of work and there is very little extra money.
He comes by the Free Clinic one day and asks if they could use any help. He's the kind of dentist that can repair a smile and create new teeth out of composite material. When he asks if they need help, he is just trying to be useful - he's older but not useless. Yes, they could use his help - he is greeted with great enthusiasm!
One morning, he meets the younger woman. She won't smile at him. He can see why. Two hours go by - she isn't expecting much. Life has taught her not to expect too much. The dental assistant hands her a mirror and tells her to mile. She is hesitant and smiles a little. Then, she smiles a lot. She doesn't recognize the face in the mirror. She starts to cry. He starts to tear up. The dental assistant starts to tear up. The dental coordinator, who put the two people together, starts to tear up. There are hugs all around - lots of smiles.
People in the hallway poke their heads in and start to tear up. She is so happy - she will go home an smile at her husband for the first time in ten years. She leave while everyone is still teary. She is beyond happy. The dentist - the man in the story - says thank you to the dental coordinator. He has felt needed and useful and not quite so old and retired. The next day, the woman goes to work and gets the front desk job she wanted. Customers love her - she has the nicest smile.
This is Goochalnd Free Clinic and Family Services. They help people get on their feet and gain independence. On January 24, the Virginia Dental Health Association and Goochland Free Clinic and Family Services will host The Mission of Mercy project at the Parks and Recreation building. There will be lots of dentists and assistants who will help people who have no access to dental care. It's a marathon day - 8 am til 5 pm."
Anyone from Hope Church is invited to come help at the Free Clinic on January 24, or to donate food trays for the 100+ volunteers at the clinic. Sandwich ingredients and fruit are needed for the volunteers' lunches. If you would like to carpool with others from Hope we will meet at the church to travel there together. If you are interested in helping in any way, please contact Rose Steele, 365-8214, asteele6@verizon.net, or BJ Attwood at GFCFS, 784-2715.
