Today, I reached a milestone in my life. For those of you that don’t know me or haven’t seen me in the last two years, this might be news to u. In November 2004, I started wearing braces. For more details on this (why, how, etc..) you can check http://www.archwired.com/First_Day_Detola.htm. Anyway it is with great pleasure that I announce to you that I got my upper braces removed this morning! I cannot begin to explain how excited I have been all day- my mirror has been my greatest companion, so has my camera. Infact, I am currently working on a new smile, lol. Unfortunately, I won’t be putting any picture of me on my blog, for security purposes; hence I can only send you a picture by request, at a token fee of course. ;)
I must say wearing braces for the past 2 years has been an experience. My braces and I have generated different comments from people wherever I go. Some people think I am nuts wearing braces now and not when I was younger, some think I have lots of money to waste, some think I travelled to Mecca and got gold teeth there (this I think is the most ludicrous comment I have received so far. No offense meant to the holy land Mecca but please what resemblance does braces and gold teeth have???) some think I am vain, some think I am brave, and a few have been inspired. Like they always say, you cannot satisfy everyone therefore I have learnt not to be moved by what people say. Most importantly, I thank God for family & friends that have been very supportive and encouraging; they have made the experience bearable for me.
A key highlight of the journey was realising that God cares about my braces. Strange you might think but it's true. Sometimes we think God only cares about the big things of this world and not minor issues like Detola's braces. I remember when I was coming to the UK for my masters and I told my dentist in Nigeria. She said to me that seeing a dentist in the UK is pretty expensive which indeed is for real. This was definitely not good news and I was apprehensive over what I had heard. Nevertheless, deep down inside of me I knew God will sort me out. Anyway to cut a long story short, let’s just say I got an exemption and am not paying a single penny to see the dentist here. This indeed is the Lord’s doing.
I still have a few months to wear the lower braces but it is definitely worth the wait. I will keep looking forward to every dental appointment as this means I am getting closer to the time when I finally get the lower braces off. Boy, I am so looking forward to the new look!
In closing, I would like to encourage anyone out there who has been putting off something they know they need to do. Maybe it is starting a new job, moving to a different town, getting out of an abusive relationship, giving to the less privileged, loosing weight, exercising or even wearing braces like me (smile). I challenge u to make a commitment to yourself to do it. If I could get braces at the age of 24 then I am sure God can help you do what you need to do. It is never to late. Just ask him.
