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Wednesday, February 04, 2009

On a wing and a prayer


My dental check-up was good. Everything in order. Except for losing part of a filling.

How long can I put it off, I asked my dentist.

It has to be done..., he said

My budget wonders if we can wait, I said.

It has to be done..., he repeated.


Then he looked at me and said, You know those little paintings you did some years ago... I think they were angels. Make me one of those as payment for the filling.


In my village, things are good.


17 comments:

  1. AllRight!!! Bartering is always good! In Charleston I did paintings for restaurants in return for great dinners! And for haircuts! Good for you!

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  2. gorgeous. and this kind of thing is how it should be, how it must be xoxo

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  3. wow, that is wonderful that he would take one of your creations for payment... real COOL!

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  4. I once worked for a Doctor who was so kind to elderly patients who clearly were unable to pay his fees. He quietly took them aside and told them just to bring him one of their pies or pickles or whatever he suspected they would be making that season. They always delivered. I was very young and I thought this was what all Doctors would do, that they would all be philanthropists. I never found another like him.
    Your experience today brings me renewed faith.

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  5. I wish that I lived in your village... I should really try to barter more.... (like this: hey, I'll teach your child to read if you fix my roof.... well, yes, I know that it's already my job to do that....)

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  6. Oh if there were only more people like your dentist...this would be a better world!

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  7. Wonderful! He will have a treasure!

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  8. That is so cool of your dentist! I wish it were that way with any transaction!

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  9. I wish my village would barter for medical/dental too. It's insanely expensive here. One filling can cost $1,300!!! Happy for you...

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  10. What a wonderful story! Thank you for sharing it, Collete!

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  11. How great for you!
    I think your denstist is a dream come true in the world of sharing what you got and not always just hand over money-world.

    Love the story!

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  12. Anonymous4:39 a.m.

    Collette,
    May your angels take this wonderful kindness, and this beautiful way of life, and spread it throughout the world.

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  13. Anonymous9:25 a.m.

    What a wonderful story. I used to live in a small town where bartering was more common. It made the community richer somehow, I guess its because we were sharing more of ourselves.

    I love your little stuffed birdie.

    Blessings ~ Eileen @ Star's Fault

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  14. Aw, what a wonderful dentist! (And a lucky one, to get one of your paintings!) xo

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  15. oh my heavens! how wonderful is that! that is very happy news. i need at least two caps and have to take both kids in for check-ups as well. shoot, i'd give my dentist a BIG painting!

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  16. That is wonderful Colette. I wish I had your dentist. Our dental treatment in this country costs an arm and a leg. It is probably the same where you are. The bartering system is a lovely concept.

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  17. This is so neat to hear - something similar happened with my Chiropracter who needed art for his new offices and asked to barter his treatment for some pieces.... I wish the whole world worked this way. Cheryl

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I really appreciate each and every one of you.