Thanks for the fillings Ray

I sat in the same church this afternoon that hosted a memorial service for my former boss a month ago. This time it was because my dentist of 36 years died in his sleep quite suddenly earlier this week. The church was packed to the rafters with friends and patients. I felt like I should be wearing a button with the number of years he kept my teeth in great condition. It was another occasion to reflect on the quickness of life. I sat there with my wife and a neighbor who also have had Ray as their dentist.
I sat in silence most of the time reflecting and observing. When the occasion came to sing a hymn I was surprised how good it felt. Otherwise I was still and solitary. Ray was the most positive and happy person I ever knew. He was a specialist at asking personal questions while sitting in a dentist chair. The questions were always easy to answer with one grunt or two. He kept up with everybody. At the service I also learned he went on many missions to Caribbean islands to provide free dental care to those who rarely get it.
I thought about the life I have led and the people I have loved and those who have loved me. I had one welling moment or two while I pondered these things. What it all did for me was remind me to not be idle and live life fully. You never know when it - life, as we know it - will end.

I think of memorial services as curious events. Whether I feel compelled to attend is a measure of how much I respect the former acquaintance. I would be there for a friend automatically. Others, maybe not. The special people with gifts and grace earn my respect and sympathy for their family and friends. I will attend those memorials even if I do not know the family and friends. After all, a memorial service is for the living, right? They need to know how much their loved one mattered to others.

Supplements. It struck me as I commented on Jeanne's blog about using Vitamin E to help her blisters (who knows if it will help?) that I should write about suppelements. It struck me that somebody might benefit to know how I have battled against high cholesterol without taking those prescription drugs that made me feel like crap when I took them.
I was already a steady runner but had a cholesterol count of 240 two years ago. Now it's 167. I had a prescription for "L" and took it as prescribed but I felt lousy and achy so I quit. I felt better fairly soon. I also figured I ought to try some home remedies. So here's what I take to win the war on high cholesterol:

1. Policosanol with coenzyme Q10 (interesting to note that One-A-Day now has it as an additive in one of its products)
2. Garlic tabs
3. Fish Oil gels

I also take calcium and a multi-vitamin. How about you?