John T. Goodman

I dedicate today's blog to my hero, Dr. John T. Goodman, my father.  Today marks the official date of his retirement from teaching at the Dental College from which he graduated fifty-three years ago.  Thirteen years ago, he sold his dental practice, but he never stopped working.  He continued to teach graduate-level dental students.  He worked in mouths and with others who do the same for over 50 years.  Fifty-three years' worth of helping people smile bigger and brighter.  

My dad practiced the dental art of prosthodontics, the branch of dentistry which specializes in restoring teeth and replacing teeth with artfully crafted partials, crowns, and the like.  His was not a job that allowed for spectators.  That is to say, unlike sons with dads whose tasks could be observed on "Take Your Kid to Work Day," my dad's dental trade is, in great part, a mystery to me.  It would be difficult to find a patient who would appreciate having the doctor's son in the cheering section next to the dental chair.  So, truthfully, in regard to anything other than what my dad repaired in my own mouth, I know little about the details of a prosthodontist's work.  (I even had to look up how to spell prosthodontist!)

While I greatly respect my dad for his dedication to his trade which provided for his family (Thanks again, Dad!), that is not the real reason that he's my hero.

---

The man whose middle and last names I share is my hero because of how he lived (and lives) his everyday, ordinary life for God.  You would be hard-pressed to find a person who knows my dad that doesn't know that John T. Goodman loves Jesus, loves my mom, and loves my sisters and me (and the sons-in-law, daughter-in law, grandkids, etc.).  I know of not one person who doubts my father's integrity.  I know of no man for whom life has not always been easy who is more positive and optimistic than my dad.  All who know him respect him.

---

While Dr. Goodman is done with dentistry, my dad is nowhere close to retiring from living the Ordinary Life.  Well done, Dad!  I am proud to bear two of your names.  I strive to bear them well.

#ordinarylives