We Are All Superheroes

I am a superhero. You are a superhero, too.

This I believe.

I do not have a cape nor a utility belt. I was not subjected to gamma rays and given incredible strength like The Hulk. I do not have amazing powers from a distant sun like Superman.

I am a practicing cosmetic dentist. I create beautiful smiles. I am member of The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Through this membership I volunteered for the Give Back A Smile (GBAS) program that focuses on restoring smiles of domestic violence and abuse victims.

Molly looked like any other one of my patients. Middle-aged, quiet, a bit nervous, and very concerned about her smile. She had many broken, decayed, and infected front teeth. Her teeth hurt if cold air hit them. These conditions were the result of physical violence and abuse. After talking I learned that Molly wanted to smile at job interviews without being embarrassed. She wanted to sing with her mouth open at church. She wanted to talk without covering her mouth with her hand to avoid stares and shame. Those were all very realistic goals. I could help.

After four appointments Molly had her new smile. It looked great. I was happy to have helped. I felt the honor of genuine philanthropy.

Molly said to me, “Dr. Grady, you’ll never know what this means to me. Thank you,” and she gave me a big bear hug. I felt her gratitude.

I showed, Susan, my wife Molly’s before and after photographs. She had tears in her eyes when she told me, “You are a hero.” Her comments made me strong like The Hulk. Strong enough to lift a city bus over my head with a single finger.

I made a difference for Molly. That is what superheroes do. They make a difference.

Molly’s new smile was made possible by the other superheroes on my dedicated staff and those at the AACD. I guess they are akin to Wonder Woman and Aquaman from the Justice League of Superheroes.

I believe in the complex world of civil unrests, serial murders, murky wars, financial crises and political turmoil it is easy for me to toss up my hands and feel powerless. That feeling for me is like poison as powerful as Superman’s kryptonite. The ripples of positive emotion I feel when I am able to help someone like Molly is like a super antidote that combats apathy and cynicism.

In the bigger picture, we all possess skills that are exactly what someone else needs. I will continue to repair broken and forlorn teeth into healthy and warm smiles.

I believe, mild-mannered listener, that tonight when you look in the mirror if you look hard, you can see your superhero alter ego. If you use your super powers to fix a flat tire, cook an extra meal, or hold a grieving hand you will feel the honor, gratitude and, strength that will fuel your next call to action. No cape, no utility belts, no gamma rays needed. We are all superheroes. This I believe.