On Being Nice

Last week in our community's newspaper a local journalist wrote an article titled, "To Those Who Make Things Work". He began the article this way, "This is a tribute to Mercedians who make things work and happen. Who go above and beyond their duties to take that extra step to lighten our load a little, each in her or his own special way." He then went on to share some personal experiences and individually thank by name, people who have helped him.

No one in our family read the article, so we were surprised when someone called to tell us the Matt was included in the list of helpful people. It read, "Two dentists, Thomas LeQuia and Matthew Rowan, an endodontist. When my left jaw swelled up like a squirrel's last month, Tom diagnosed the problem and sent me to Matt, who fixed it. I'd rather be on a night infantry patrol in northwest Baghdad, than sit in a dentist's office. But both men exerted such a calming chair-side manner that I was able to get through the ordeal."

It's always nice to receive a compliment, but it's even nicer to just be nice. Matt is always very careful and patient with those who are nervous in his office. It's not always easy to be nice, in fact, it can be exhausting and many nights Matt comes home completly worn out by people who have the jitters. So I think it's nice that someone thanked him for being nice.