By Holly Engel-Smothers
Childhood is a marvelous time, a time for imaginative play, invisible friends, magic, and make-believe. Remember playing with Barbie and friends? Barbie always had a perfect wardrobe (no "fat closet") with shoes to match that never hurt Barbie's feet. Barbie never had a bad hair day. Barbie had a perfect car to match her perfect clothes, hair, and body.
When there were crocodiles under the bed, Daddy would easily take care of the situation by eating them. Invisible friends staying up late playing cards? No problem! A simple scolding would send them scattering to their invisible beds.
When you played "Pet Shop" with stuffed animals, wasn't it wonderful how the puppies and kitties never had a "puddle" or "doodle" accident like your real pets? The puppets never got hungry, the "picnics" never spoiled, and the baby dolls never got ear infections during play. When outside, a hula hoop made an ideal horse harness, a tree stump was the perfect home base, and leaves and acorns made wonderful tea sets.
Although playing with puppets, dolls, and stuffed animals usually remain in the pretend realm, sometimes the magic of childhood can transcend into adult reality. Take the tooth fairy. Certainly, any child who loses a tooth expects a coin under her pillow the next morning. But does the tooth fairy have an age limit? According to my girls, the tooth fairy is busy with all things teeth, even if it is Grandma's.
The other day, my family dropped by Grandma's for a visit. She answered the door very shyly and strangely. She didn't talk much or give the girls her usual wide smile and "hello!" It didn't take long for the girls to pick up on this. Before we had shed coats and muddy shoes, Bailee exclaimed, "Grandma! You lost your tooth! The tooth fairy is coming tonight!"
Yes, Grandma's seventy-year-old front tooth had given up and fallen out. She had a gaping hole that about matched Rilee's.
"How long ago did you lose your other teeth, Grandma?" Jaynee asked innocently.
"Wellllll," answered Grandma through her lips, "I haven't lost a tooth in about fifty years."
"Oh, my gosh, Grandma! You mean the tooth fairy hasn't visited you in fifty years?" Fifty years is an unfathomable amount of time to most of us.
Rilee hurriedly filled Grandma in on "lost tooth protocol": Don't eat apples or corn on the cob. Keep brushing your other teeth. And, don't worry, your "new" tooth will grow in soon, and then Grandma won't have to worry about talking so funny. Grandma kindly acknowledged Rilee's suggestions.
"The tooth fairy will give your tooth to the new babies so they can have teeth. Isn't that great?" The idea of a recycled seventy-year-old tooth for a baby just made my stomach turn a bit. Somehow, the thought of a darling baby suddenly grinning with Grandma's tooth made me chuckle. It seemed like an image that would come off an old cartoon.
Rilee's toothy predictions were correct. Grandma's tooth did "grow back in" about the same time she visited the dentist. And Rilee was right: the new tooth was much better. Wonders never cease -- especially when you are seven.
[NOTE FROM SUSAN HEIM: This column is one of many from talented writer, mom and educator Holly Engel-Smothers, who will be sharing her tales of life with twins (and a twingle) with readers through this "TwinGrins" column, which will appear on a regular basis on TwinsTalk.]