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Senior Correspondent

Christmas Day. Breakfast must wait; on with Christmas! I could never have been so delighted as when I saw the beautiful new Lionel Steam train to supplement my "old" electric engine. Soon Dad and I covered the floor with tracks while Mother and Sis set up houses and scenery. What an exciting little village we built under the tree.

It was soon time for the traditional "kid visiting." A little fiend (yes, fiend) of Sis came and plopped herself on the sofa and began her little doll game. She continuously placed her feet on MY tracks to derail MY train. I guess I should have been more kind and understanding. I did gently remove her feet from the tracks.

Then in totally unrestrained, unmitigated and terroristic rage she swung her china-headed doll at my head. It was fatal for the doll and I thought nearly fatal for me. It hit me squarely in the mouth, broke off one of my front teeth at the gum and whacked off a large corner of another.

Drowning and choking in blood and tears, I ran through the house screaming that I was ruined for life. Dad restrained Mother from overwhelming protective retaliation then summoned our dentist neighbor to an emergency meeting in his office. Thus began my lifelong fear of dentists, drilling and barely-effective Novocain.

Drilling and fitting in repeat visits resulted in an ugly false front tooth and a glittery gold corner on another. The slightest bump to my mouth broke down everything. I became very astute at avoiding fights or dangerous ball games. The worst result was the injury to my pride. I believed I was the ugliest person in the world. I would never let a smile cross my face or let my teeth show in a picture.

Fortunately I was befriended later by an extraordinarily capable dentist who fixed my mouth up. Now I realize that it "Makes You Feel Good to Smile." 

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