End of an Era
Why yes, that is a human tooth inside a ring. Isn’t that what everyone has on their desk?
Wait, let’s start over.
Last week, I noticed that the ChickieNob’s tooth was loose. For whatever reason, this one milestone didn’t bother me at all. I wondered if it was the milestone itself or the fact that it is the first one we’ve hit since giving away most of our baby things. You would think I’d be more of a wreck. But I was really excited to play tooth fairy.
I’m sure both of my parents were the tooth fairy at various times (um, I hope I didn’t ruin that for you), but one night, I woke up to find my father in my room. He mumbled something about “just checking” on the tooth, but I remember opening my eyes and seeing him rooting around in the tooth fairy pillow and I knew that I had two choices–I could let him see that I was awake and that I knew the truth or I could close my eyes again and pretend fairies existed. I went with the truth because it felt like the right thing at the time. Which is not to say that I haven’t had regrets and wish that I still believed in fairies.
The ChickieNob’s tooth fell out while she was with my parents, a fitting ending to my tooth fairy story. They were playing rummy and my mother asked her for a card and my daughter handed her a tooth. She told me that it had been annoying her because it was wobbling about so she pushed it out–with her tongue? with her finger? And we stepped over to the other side–the loss of baby teeth. The start of her permanent adult teeth.
I was thinking about her tooth today in regards to blogging. I have started and stopped various projects throughout the years. Some have been on-going for years–the Roundup will be 4 years old this summer and IComLeavWe has been going on for almost 2 years. And others have come and gone after a few months or years. I let Barren Advice drift away a while back. The Emoblopedia hasn’t been updated in ages. Every once in a while, something disappears and then it strikes me to resurrect it.
The loss of the tooth made me realize that now was the right time to put Show and Tell to rest. Not permanently, perhaps, but at least for a while. I considered letting it go to 100 posts just to keep things even (it’s currently at 97), but I think that I would like the post about “Country Roads” and West Virginia and Lori to be my last Show and Tell for a bit (or, perhaps forever). It is fitting to end with her because I got her into blogging so she should be my bookend to the project much in the same way my parent’s role as the tooth fairy has transferred to me.
I could let this project go quietly, but since others participate in it too, it felt like closure needed to be mentioned. I’ll leave this last one open until Saturday night as always, and then close the participation box.
Baby teeth fall out to make room for new teeth, and I have to admit that part of me has felt that Show and Tell went from one of my favourite parts of the week to a bit of a drag to find something to show. When her tooth fell out, my thought was to hold the picture another week instead of blogging it organically after it happened because I already had my Show and Tell chosen with Lori. And that’s not what Show and Tell was ever about. And so, for the sake of organic blogging, it’s time to let this project fall out to make space for the next idea (at least for the time being). Because I’m sure there is one rattling around in there, something beyond the new space for the Mondegreens. There always is.
20 comments
We have played tooth fairy for a few years now…
Our best attempt at ruining it for J was when we literally forgot to do anything…and she came to our room proclaiming that the Fairy had missed her.
Husband rushes to his wallet, grabs money…
I am tenderly caressing my sobbing child…
He throws money down the stairs. Literally. it’s everywhere.
Problem sort of solved.
(parent guilt ensues….)
Congratulations! It’s fun! YAY!
Awe!! And ending to an era most definitely! 🙁 As sad as it makes me, I can completely understand that w/ the new (even if barely brewing) the old gets put the side or put away. I’m going to miss this. I might even continue it here and there in your honour!
Yay for playing tooth fairy! I totally let out a giggle when you said she “pushed it out”. She’s so silly. 🙂
It will be sad to see the Show & Tell end, but I don’t know how you came up with a topic every week!
Congratulations to the ChickieNob for losing her first tooth! I hope the Tooth Fairy was generous!
Rats, I just started participating. But I totally understand the reason you’re stopping. And commend you for knowing when enough is enough.
My sister and I always forced a tooth out when Grandpa was visiting. It guaranteed us at least 5 bucks. The tooth fairy only ever brought 25 cents…30 years ago.
My mom of course had always told me that the whole tooth fairy thing was a lie and there was none, much like Santa, the Easter bunny etc.
I understand your reasoning for stopping Show and Tell. I know that I enjoyed it but I had gotten to the point where I had a difficult time making my way through the list to everyone else.
I wonder what I will do with all of the Show and Tell posts that I held and never got around to.
Good on you for pausing/ending S&T before jumping the shark.
I have never been so honored to be a book end. Or a companion to the Tooth Fairy.
I will miss Show & Tell — I had begun to collect possibilities to post as I move through my week.
But I, too, am ready to let it go.
Instead, I’m on the hunt for mondegreens.
(Hug ChickieNob for me. And her brother, too).
I have one that I’ve been saving, but I’m not quite ready to post it yet. When I am, I will have to just post it in your honor.
I have to admit, I didn’t always participate or even read them all, but I was a little sad to see this end. I hate endings. But I LOVE beginnings so much more than I hate endings, and I can’t wait to see what you come up with next.
Oh darn – I’ve only just found you and Show and Tell! But I’m sure I’ll like whatever else happens; I’ve been pretty pleased with my adult teeth.
I remember doing a scientific test of the Tooth Fairy. I knew it was my parents, but I just had to be sure. So I saved a tooth and took it on vacation with us and THEN tried it under the pillow without telling my parents.
I second and third and fourth the an end of an era indeed. It was awesome and I was so happy to participate sometimes. So this means I need to take down my awesome link for it? Guess so.
I loved your post about Lori. She is amazing and I would love to meet her one day, you too.
My Oma made my sister and I Tooth Fairy pillows and it was just THE most exciting time to wake up and find that the little fairy brought us dollar bills. I hope to continue this tradition with my kids. But who will make the pillows? Cause Lord knows I can only sew a button. Maybe Kristin could?
i respect your need to make room for something new, to just make space for whatever may be next. but I’m kind of sad, even though I haven’t contributed in a while. I was especially hoping to show off my new paint face when it comes!
ah well, change is good, I know. good for you for recognizing it was time.
Sometimes you just have to move one!
When I was a kid we had a little pillow that we put our teeth in and set beside our bed. It actually said “For The Tooth Fairy” on it! I think it made the sneaking in and out to get the tooth easier.
How much did ChickieNob get? I am amazed at how much kids get nowadays – I never got more than $1!
Oh. Oh well. Thank you for letting us share a bit of ourselves through you for Show and Tell.
🙂
I am looking forward to the next big thing!
Sad to see S&T go, but I understand. I tend to go hot & cold on various projects myself. I never say never, but sometimes the drive just isn’t there to keep up with it.
Which is not to say we can’t all continue to show & tell in our own blogs. It just won’t be as easy to share with as many people!
(Dare I ask about the fate of the book club??)
So sad Show and tell is leaving. So much for that part of my New Year’s resolution! However, I must say I did meet my goal while you had it going. Can’t wait to see what the next big thing is!
I have faith that there will be no void. n-e-x-t
Oh! The end of an era indeed. Still, you’re right – the idea has to serve its purpose. I have no doubt whatsoever you have at least ten ideas rattling around in there.
Bea
I had not been doing it for a while…but I will miss it by tons!
All the best for everything that you do!