Teeth Dreams and Certain Death

Last night, I went to bed with a headache. I had managed to make it to my 5 a.m. exercise session, but I was tired from that, carb-depleted, likely dehydrated, and processing the clarity of my official ADHD diagnosis. According to articles I’ve read, dreams where you lose teeth can symbolize negative feelings, the loss of something important, or heightened stress. A small dose of adversity, it seems. In my dream, I was at a social event and also on some kind of bus trip. Throughout both events, one by one, about 5-6 of my teeth fell out. Some were rotted, taking part of my gum with them, and others were jagged baby teeth. I felt relieved when I woke up to find my mouthguard still intact and all of my teeth in place.

The morning news, however, brought a new wave of emotion. Hurricane Milton is approaching the Gulf of Mexico and is on a direct path to hit Florida’s west coast. Officials are warning that those in the evacuation zones who choose to stay will most certainly die. I have some really hard-headed friends in Florida, and I’m overcome with anxiety, fear, sorrow, and helplessness as I reflect on the imminent loss of life our nation is about to face, especially among the most vulnerable. My heart sinks. Along with the devastation, I’m certain we will hear stories of resilience and tenacity come in the next weeks. I shall await them.