the life of a toothbrush
I love my battery-powered toothbrush. It does a far better job than I ever seem to do manually. And, oddly, I kind of enjoy the buzzing noise it makes.
A while ago, I figured it might be in need of a battery change. It seemed to take longer than usual to brush; the droning buzz seemed to be quieter than I remembered. But it didn’t seem urgent enough for me to do anything about it. So I continued brushing as is. For weeks.
Just the other day, Niel brought some batteries into the bathroom to replace the ones in his toothbrush. “Oh, please change mine, too, while you’re at it,” I remarked.
The next time I turned on my toothbrush, my eyes widened in amazement. The buzz was back, in all its loud glory. As I started brushing, I excitedly exclaimed to Niel, “It feels like I’m at the dentist!” The difference from the day before was startling. I hadn’t realized how slow and incompetent my toothbrush had actually become. I had no idea how bad it had really gotten. Until it was better. The comparison was remarkable.
How did I not realize just how bad it was? The downward spiral was slow. Gradual. Incremental. So much so, that while I figured it might be good to change the batteries, I didn’t think it was necessary. Not yet. “It can wait a few more weeks…” Slowly dying is not as obvious as suddenly dying.
But with new batteries in it, my toothbrush has sprung back to life. It’s more alive than I honestly ever recall it being, so stark is the contrast between pre- and post-battery change.
Only when I got back what I’d lost did I realize just how badly things had gotten.
Regardless of how slow or sudden the death, new life is always astonishing.
This made me smile. Good lesson to remember.
Good lesson. Reminded me of the frog in the boiling water. I guess there’s more than one example for that truth. Must be important!
this was a great thought, “Slowly dying is not as obvious as suddenly dying.”
come on devo…:)
ps – noticed ‘shane and shane’ on your itunes list – they are our fav!
I liked this.
and I’m proud of you.
When I read the title, I thought about me Ewok toothbrush. We laughed a lot last night. Man o man.
I love you,
-Becca
Post Script: I think you’re one fine story teller. Have I ever expressed that to you?
Ahhh, the beauty of a battery powered toothbrush!! Remember how excited I got when you and Niel surprised me with my first one…that green one you got when we had that mini shopping spree when the teams arrived?! I share the love of a powerful brush…
this made me smile.
and i just have to say…
that i am extremely jealous that you will be spending the next two months with one of my favorite women ever.
this made me smile.
and i just have to say…
that i am extremely jealous that you will be spending the next two months with one of my favorite women ever.
kitty, i totally remember that! your eyes were wide with glee when we gave it to you! :-)
Wow. Alece, what you wrote spoke to every molecule inside of me. Thank you.
“Only when I got back what I’d lost did I realize just how badly things had gotten.
Regardless of how slow or sudden the death, new life is always astonishing.”
New life. I am striving for that.
@danielleH says:
EVERY time i brush my teeth (which is quite often) i think of this post…and wonder how my heart is…if it is slowly fading or if my soul needs to be recharged. thought you’d like to know.
i love ya!
i was JUST thinking of this old-school post. you know why? yep. time to change my batteries again!