Mama this one’s for you

In loving memory of Ann Matthias, my rock, my Mom. Growing up on a large family run dairy farm, Mom always made sure we went to the dentist. We never had dental insurance, but that didn’t matter. Every 6 months my mom would load up all 6 kids into the car and take us to the dentist. A lot of times one sister (Joy) would be missing, she hated going and would hide in the barn somewhere. So my mom would be smarter the next time and tell us all we were going shopping. You can imagine my sisters grief as we pulled into the dentists’ parking lot.

Through the years I never dreaded going to the dentist. And as I transitioned into an adult, I decided to make a career out of it. I got accepted into the dental hygiene program at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. Besides raising 4 girls, dental hygiene school was no joke. I somehow managed to graduate and start my dental career.

For 15 years I worked as a clinical dental hygienist I was able to work part-time and raise my family. Dental hygiene allowed me to grow professionally, take care of my four girls, and ultimately aid my mom’s battle with colon cancer. This put hygiene school to shame. Being a young mom, and transitioning into caring for my own mom was not an easy task. Ultimately, Ann Matthias, my dear mom lost her battle to cancer after 9 grueling years of fight.

Battling my own grief was, and is not easy. I started to lose my passion for dental hygiene. I needed something more.

I would like to think my mom would be proud of my career, raising my girls, and the passion I put into whatever I do. I know that she understands my want to help more of the elder population. Her parents; my dear Grandma and Grandpa Sieracki both had full dentures and my Mom wanted us to retain our own teeth for our lifetime. Now it is my turn to help as many elders as I can do exactly that.

Mama this one's for you.