Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Why do we, as adults and parents, spend so much of our time trying to conceal the identity of fictional characters such as Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy? Maybe because it’s what our parents did when we were kids, maybe because we see the excitement in our children’s eyes when they see Santa at the mall, or maybe because we want to be a part of this make believe world for just a little while too. Just like when we read a book or watch a movie that takes us to an exotic or imaginary place; it’s fun to disconnect for just a little while from the day to day activities that clutter our daily lives.

Grace lost a tooth yesterday, placed it in a plastic bag, wrote a short note on the baggie, and placed it under her pillow. The note said, “Tooth Fairy, What color are your wings? I’ve always wanted to know?”

Wanting to encourage her excitement and curiosity about the Tooth Fairy, I immediately went to the kitchen, retrieved some paper and a pen and began writing the Tooth Fairies reply. The note said: My wings are blue, my hair is gold; you lost a tooth, so I am told; I leave this treasure, beneath your head; while you sleep, with nothing to dread.

I left the note beside the coffee pot making it easy for David to replace the note along with money, for the tooth. He saw the note but chose to have a cup of coffee first. Grace woke at an unexpected time and saw that the Tooth Fairy hadn’t come. Trying to correct his mistake, David distracted Grace and quickly placed the note and money under her pillow. $20.00! He must have felt guilty. Grace was excited but soon discovered her tooth in the plastic bag lying underneath the bed and began to question why the Tooth Fairy hadn’t even taken her tooth. She even said that she saw her Dad put the money under her pillow. Caught in the act! After David tried for several minutes to convince Grace that he hadn’t put the money there; he finally gave in and said, “Well, that was from the Daddy Tooth Fairy, put your tooth under your pillow again tonight and the real Tooth Fairy will come.” I wonder how much the Tooth Fairy will pay tonight. Grace never said anything about the note that was with her money. At 9 years old, I think she still wants to believe in the fictional characters that bring a sense of curiosity and imagination to her mind; but reality tells her that no man could ever deliver a million toys to all of the children in the world in just one night. I think I will be sad when she stops believing.

Melissa, Austin, Cole, Kalel, and Lilly visited today, swimming in the pool and jumping on the trampoline. Arnold stopped by to borrow a table saw, and Little David visited for a while then went to Merv’s. He said that he may go by Melissa's and get the van to sell for scrap iron. The kids would be so upset if their priceless tanker was sold for a mere $300.00 and crushed to a pile of rubble. Hopefully, he will change his mind.

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