A few days ago Sweet Boy had some fairly extensive dental surgery. An oral surgeon removed a total of 5 teeth to prepare him for braces next week. Two of the teeth were so badly impacted that the normally 30 minute procedure took close to two hours. (Yes, mom was a basket case.) But greater pain was in store for me that night. As we prepared for bed Sweet Boy sighed and said I need to prepare for When the Tooth Fairy Comes to Visit for the Last Time.
It was true. The surgeon had removed all of his remaining baby teeth. The realization that we were embarking on one of the last childhood rites of passage hit me where it hurt. My heartache hurt worse than Alfalfa’s toothache.
When the Tooth Fairy Comes to Visit for the Last Time
I then considered that perhaps the knowledge was a gift. After all, Sweet Boy’s sister had lost plenty of teeth and I can’t really remember the exact moment she lost her last baby tooth. I think for the majority of parents the momentous occasion passes stealthily by. We are perhaps comforted by hopeful thoughts of “Oh I am sure there is one more tooth.” Time then passes on, quietly numbing any growing pains a parent may have.
Sweet Boy is my last child. A true treasure that at one time we thought we would never have. So I am celebrating that I get to fully experience this last milestone. And oh what an experience.
My poor Sweet boy currently looks like a reining world champion prize fighter. He is softly black and blue and swollen all over.
Much like when he was a newborn. Sniff.
Laura
What a beautiful post. As I started to read it I realized I have no recollection of the last time the Tooth Fairy visited our house. You penned a sweet tribute to the passing of one of childhood's favorite events.
And, FN garb will look stunning on you, Laura.
Oh, poor little handsome fella. What a mouth full of boo-boo's. He has the most beautiful eyes, Laura. We went thru this with 2 of ours. Hearts go out to them when they have to go thru these procedures.
I look like your son from my surgery this week, I ell everyone Harold smacked me … Tell your son we 'oldies but goodies' can sympathize.
I think the parents sometimes suffer worse than the children, don't you?
Have a beauatiful week.
TTFN ~
Hugs,
Marydon
Sweet Boy and sweet mom…just wrapped my heart around your post today!
~Lynne
[w/l]
Gee, Laura, you're so right. I have NO memory of the last time the tooth fairy visited my two girls. You definitely received a sweet treasure. Praying for a quick and complete recovery for your “little one.”
Yes.. it is hard letting go..
but what joy awaits with each new phase..my son living on the other side of the world from me (figuratively)called me earlier in the week for some “Mommy make it better time”..
he'd undergone a painful event at the dentist earlier that morning and needed something that only a mommy can give..soothing sympathy talk..
no matter the distance!!
warmest hugs..
Loui♥
ps.. My son is 44!
he will forever be my baby!!
Loui♥
Oh Laura
He will always be your very special last born!
IHave a lovely week
Shane x
Oh I so feel his pain…Just want through wisdom tooth extraction with my daughter. Three of the four were impacted & one of those turned out to be a double tooth! Hope Sweet Boy is feeling better soon!
My jaws ache looking at the poor thing. Feel better soon.
Hope your little guy is feeling better. Our son is all grown and married, dad to three daughters who are now starting to lose their teeth, and yet I still feel bad for him if he has to go through any dental work. They are always our Sweet Boys when they are in pain…although he hasn't had a visit from the tooth fairy himself in a long while! 😀
Thanks for sharing and hope the tooth fairy found him! {He leaves a lot more cash now than when I was a kid! 🙂
Oh, poor baby, err I mean guy! I know just what you mean!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Poor Sweet Boy….he needs a (((((HUG)))))
Awwwwwwwwwww poor guy…and poor Mama too.. {{{hugs}}} :):):):):):):):):):)
Such a sweet post! I just realized that I have no idea when WD lost his last baby tooth. I'm sure SB will be getting braces, and much like his father and your Sweet Boy, will have to have a handful pulled for them to go on. I hope the poor little guy isn't in too much pain.
oh the poor little guy! so sorry for his woes. will keep him in my thoughts and prayers. he'll be smiling again soon i'm sure!
Oh, poor sweetie!!!
Hope he recovers quickly.
ouch….may the braces goo well. I wasn't prepared for the braces when my daughter got them. They have to go in once in awhile for them to be tweaked. Ouch.
My daughter told me when she had to get braces that I was ruining her life!!! Very emotional. Today umpteen years later, she has a beautiful smile with pretty teeth.
When they get them off…it's wonderful.
d
The poor dear. And I simpathise with you in that feeling that they are finnally gron up and no longer our babies.
My daughter took the last visit by the Fairy very much in Sweet Boy's way. It is what it is, let's move on. But my son got a bit depressed with the fact… he's a dreamer – even at 20 – and probably why he lived fantasy vicariously through his youngest sister. She was so ready to move on and him holding to the Santa, Tooth Fairy magic.
It was a grown up week, I guess. My son had a major shock when watching the LAST Harry Potter. He realised that he had lived a big party of his life eagerly waiting, first for the books and then the movies and all of the sudden it was THE END. Major emotional meltdown – in a manly way – of my Peter Pan.
My son is in the phase of remobving his wisdom tooth so it doesn't spoil what the braces made up. When he took the right ones (the 2) he got that look also and let me tell you hurts all the time to see our babies looking like that… the result will be better on long term.
Well, go back next to him (SB, demand Ice Cream, it's time to get rotten spoiled. Mum with F Nightingale syndrome don't have a prayer ahahahahah).
Take Care (you both).
Aunt Teresa
Laura,
I remember going through the same thing before getting braces when I was a child. Poor Sweet Boy! I suggest all the spaghetti for dinner and all the ice cream he wants for dessert!
Beautifully written post about a closing chapter in childhood. (Passes you a box of tissues after taking one for myself.)
Your Friend,
Deborah
It's really sweet that he was realizing the passing of an era, himself.
Oh Laura, my heart goes out to you. My son starts kindergarten this fall, and I'm already a basket case! I swear you blink and they're grown up!
HI LAURA!!!
My daughters both had ALL their baby teeth pulled out too, so this very event happened at our house too. I knew I had one more mouth full of baby teeth, so I did not cry, but you are right when they lose them the natural way you really do not remember the Last one, som our son's last baby tooth is a mystery to all of us. Sweet boy is growing up and has changed so much. Enjoy the last few weeks with him before school starts again.
HUGS,
jamie