That Little Empty Spot
When your last born loses her first tooth, it is supposed to be a little sad because one realizes that their baby is growing up. And will soon spend long summer days riding bikes and playing neighborhood games.
They are learning math facts and reading classic stories like, “If you give a Mouse A Cookie”.
With her bouncy little smile she ran to me and grabbed my hand and brought it to her tiny bottom tooth on the left.
It was so close to being free. She had been using her tongue to force it loose.
In that moment I was in shock and saddened. My feelings overwhelmed my mind.
“How is her tooth loose? She isn’t old enough to be losing teeth.” Then it hit me like a sucker punch in the gut.
My little girl is five and a half years old. You see, I still rock her to sleep, I hold her hand and make sure her tiny fingers are secured around mine wherever we go in public.
If unattended for a minute, she will have fruity pebbles all over the kitchen floor like it were confetti, or a full bottle of shampoo covering the bathroom floor.
She is forever a toddler in my mind.
Some of you that have children with disabilities, or Autism, understand this feeling in your deepest core.
I am grateful that you not only know, but you support me in knowing I am not alone in my subtle sadness. It’s unchartered territory for me.
My eldest daughter pulled the tiny baby tooth out and we all celebrated with claps and jumping. My little lady is growing up and she always has our help and support.
That little empty spot in her mouth, well, it’s so darn cute and that tooth fairy is pretty darn lucky.
Written by, Erin Maser
I am a mother of four beautiful girls ages 13, 8, 7 and 4. My youngest just happens to be nonverbal autistic epileptic. I am a Title I Elementary teacher in Wyoming. You can follow our story on our blog at Keep room in your heart for the unimaginable.
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