You’re Who I’m Grateful For This Year

Yes, You!

Hi everyone! I hope your fall is going well so far. This season usually evokes many familiar, happy memories for me, but this year will be the first year for my family without either of my parents.

Although my siblings have grown and started their own families, we've always gathered at my mom and dad's home to enjoy their traditional American Thanksgiving cooking. That might come as a surprise, as past readers may remember that my parents were both first-generation Chinese immigrants. When they first arrived, Thanksgiving was a completely foreign holiday to them.

But while there's plenty of Chinese dishes that a family might prepare for festive occasions, my mother actually learned how to make a full American Thanksgiving meal with turkey, stuffing, and all its fixings — not through cookbooks, but through her customers at our family's grocery store.

I realize now just how much I've picked up from my mother and father when it comes to business. I have many memories of my parents' interactions with their customers, and can remember how much they valued them. In a similar way, I enjoy learning a lot from my customers, including their life stories. I've made many new connections and relationships over the past many years, mostly from my interactions with my dentists. Many of my dentists and their staff have, in a way, become my second family.

For that reason, as a technician and lab owner, I'm personally invested in the cases that I work on together with my dentists. It gives me a great sense of pride to help doctors provide expert care, and, in rare cases, I might even hear about the results from the patient themselves.

Recently, I had a large case that I worked on for a patient to restore six of his anterior teeth, which also involved replacing his previous bridge. Since the dental office was just next door, I worked with the doctor and patient in person to identify the correct shade, requested contours, and most importantly, the outcome the patient wanted to achieve. From there, I went back to my lab, fabricated his bridge, and delivered it to the dentist to be cemented.

Although I don't always hear back about how cases went, this time, the patient came by my laboratory to personally tell me himself. I was amazed not only by the results, but also by how deeply grateful the patient was. He even gave me his recent book, and I discovered he was an acclaimed expert in his field endorsed by Bill Gates — that was amazing.

He was also kind enough to email me this testimonial:

“Darrell Lee is an artist! He did an amazing job on my six unit bridge on the upper center of my mouth — what people see when I smile. I was hoping it would turn out well, and I couldn't be happier. I highly recommend Darrell for any dental bridge work. I'm writing this review because I want others to benefit from his skill.”

–James Baraz, author, “Awakening Joy: 10 Steps for Happiness”; co-founding teacher, Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Woodacre, California

Whether you're a current or prospective dentist, I can't tell you how grateful I am for all of you! It's been very special to hear your feedback and responses, and I never forget that it's your support that makes it all possible. Thank you for allowing me to give my family the life I am able to give them, and especially for us to enjoy our Thanksgiving, as different as it may become this year.

Thanks so much for reading, and have a happy Thanksgiving!