Children: Good - and good for you

I've never been especially fond of or particularly diligent with my dental care. During my first 25 years, I skated by, doing the minimum amount of effort to keep my teeth from falling out. Since marrying Melissa some 13 years ago, those habits have improved, though I continue to pay for the indiscretions of my youth with a variety of fillings, crowns and quarterly deep cleanings.

Along comes Niranjana.

In an effort to be the best possible daddy, I've taken up the habit of brushing my teeth better and longer each evening. I want to be a role model, and I want her to make sure her teeth stay perfect.

The payoff came today when I went in for a cleaning. Lori, our dental hygienist who has known about our adoption process about as long as anyone outside our family, noted how much better my gums were. She was even impressed - a first in the 14 years I've been going to Dr. Dean.

So while I was trying to be a good role model for my little girl, she ended up being a good influence on me.