Dr Ted Beitelschees
3100 W. Central Ave
Suite 155
Toledo, OH 43606
(419) 578-4100
Welcome
Welcome to Westgate Family Dental
Our Christmas letter to you......
These are dark times. It’s easy to come to this conclusion - all that is required is a simple glimpse of a newspaper, a few minutes of news from television or radio, or a quick perusal of the web. If the economic news is not sufficient to grinchify you, then surely the reports of conflicts and protests around the globe can bring out your inner Ebenezer. Failing that, check out the latest health scare, or dangerous product report. If all else fails, browse the holiday offerings at your favorite merchant and watch fellow shoppers spray each other with mace. The worst of human nature is currently as prominent as a Christmas display in a department store window. It’s enough to make a jolly old elf take Prozac.
Yet despite the darkness, beacons of light can be seen, if only we look for them. For me, this year’s brightest light has come courtesy of an amazing girl with extraordinary faith, in the midst of her 3 year journey with a rare form of cancer. Throughout her illness, her greatest fear has been that people would stop believing in God if she didn’t experience a miraculous healing. Earlier this fall, as she and her family learned that the cancer had spread throughout her body, it was clear that her journey was near an end. And what was occupying the thoughts of this 12 year old who was staring down the end of her earthly life? She was thinking about the other children in the hospital. Specifically, she was concerned about how difficult it can be to be in a hospital at Christmas, so she asked her family and friends to buy presents for them instead of her.
Early in the morning, on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, this little girl peacefully left this life. To lose a child right before the holidays must be the darkest of times.
But as the saying goes, it is always darkest before the dawn. While the family struggled with the pain and loss, they remembered her wish for the children in the hospital. And the word got out, and it spread. And spread. Lists were generated for children in not the one, but TWO hospitals. Donations flowed like the tears on a grieving mother’s cheek, and last week her family was met at the doors of Wal-Mart (the girl’s favorite store) by SIX employees and a battalion of shopping carts. SEVEN AND A HALF HOURS LATER the shopping was completed, with additional donations coming from several other Wal-mart Stores. A few days later 45 people showed up at the family’s house and wrapped them all, filling a cargo van with gifts. And in the midst of it all, a hurting family found strength, comfort and balm. The tears still flow, but now they are mixed with tears of amazement, wonder, and even occasionally joy. Not exactly a Hallmark ending, but it’s one for the real world, for our world.
“The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light” we read in Isaiah and Matthew. It is as relevant and true today as it was then, if only we train our eyes to see. As I try to internalize this lesson from an enlightened young girl, I wonder: what would this world look like if we all tried to be beacons of light and hope to this world?
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. (John 1:5)
Blessings and Peace to you this Christmastide
Dr. Ted Beitelschees & the staff of Westgate Family Dental
At Westgate Family Dental, our priority is to deliver quality care to informed patients in a comfortable and convenient setting
Holiday Recipe Raffle!
It's that that time of year when some of our favorite holiday foods make their annual appearance! What culinary traditions grace your family gatherings? We're collecting the best holiday recipes, and we want you to send us your favorites! Whats more, we'll be randomly drawing names from the submitted recipes to win some great prizes! (And to prove we're no Scrooge, we'll be sharing the recipes on our website and Facebook page).
The categories are:
Main Dish (it is the centerpiece of the meal, after all)
Side Dishes (you can't have a proper feast without all the right sides!)
Beverages (non-alcoholic and spiked recipes both welcome)
Chocolate (now that it's trendy healthy food, it deserves its own special category)
Desserts [Non-Chocolate] (while some may disagree, there are some wonderful desserts without chocolate)
So trot out the ol' cookbooks, open to those long dog-eared pages, and send us your best ones! And stay tuned so you can check out other folk's favorites, too. Who knows, you may discover your family's next great holiday tradition!
You can enter your recipes into the raffle by email (Susie@westgatefamilydental.com); mail (3100 West Central Ave Ste 155 Toledo, OH 43606) ...or you may always drop them off (samples happily welcomed!)
*One prize per category will be awarded from a drawing of the recipes submitted. Odds of winning depend on how many entries we receive. Employees and their families of Westgate Family Dental are not eligible to win raffle prizes.
Raffle runs 12/7/11 to 12/29/22
Quality Care
When you have dental problems, you need to turn to a dentist who listens and responds ... an experienced doctor who knows the field and can effectively diagnose and treat your needs ... a friendly dentist who counsels you on the best ways to maintain and improve your health. Our staff meet all these criteria. Plus, you benefit from a dedicated team of trained professionals who give you the individualized attention you deserve.
Informed Patients
Westgate Family Dental believes that informed patients are better prepared to make decisions regarding their health and well being. That is why we've included an extensive section on this web site covering the full array of topics associated with dentistry and dental diagnoses and treatments. We encourage you to look through these pages whenever you have an interest or concern about your dental needs and care.
Comfortable, Convenient Setting
The best care in the world doesn't mean anything if you can't access it. At Westgate Family Dental, we strive to make our Toledo office as efficient and convenient as possible. Included in these web pages is information about Westgate Family Dental's office, including our Toledo location, maps, directions, hours, insurance policies and appointment scheduling. You can even email arequest for an appointment right here!
We hope you find this web site useful and invite you to contact us with your questions at any time.
- PROUD SPONSER OF THE "JAZZ BRUNCH" @ 101.5 THE RIVER -
