The Joke's on Me

Just after the last really big storm I drove over to the ABC House and was just hurrying up the hilly sidewalk to get inside when - whoops! - the icy walk got the better of me and I slammed down on the ice on both knees. I tried to get up and slipped again. And worse luck, everything in my hands flew out of my grip, and landed far out of my reach across the treacherous stretch of sidewalk. What to do, what to do?Luckily, since my phone was tucked into the pocket of my jeans, I still had it anyway. Crouching down so I wouldn't fall a third time, I called the house phone just inside and one of the students answered."Bryson, I fell down out here. I'm fine but I keep falling down somehow. I can't seem to even take a step. Plus I lost my keys, which are like six feet away from me.""What?! " said Bryson. "Oh God, I'll be right out!"And sophomore Bryson did come right out, along with senior Hazees, and together they led me up the hilly path into the house."You were so alarmed, it was sweet," I said to Bryson once we were safely inside. "Did I really sound that panicked?""No it wasn't that! It was when you said you lost your keys. I thought you said you lost your TEETH."Lost my teeth! And me a mere baby of 65 as of today.Still I take scant comfort; losing my teeth could be next all right, all right. For now, on this quiet birthday I'm just feeling grateful.For friends and family...For the full set of teeth I grew in my own once-little mouth... and for the help of the young and strong. Thanks, all of you! Thanks for all the fun and learning, you super ABC guys!