Thursday, December 13, 2007

Perspective


Each of us have our own perspectives. The way we interpret the world around us, the way we interpret ourselves.

My son lost a tooth the other day. This marks his fourth tooth, the fourth visit from the tooth fairy. The first two times were no big deal. She left what she left and he didn't seem thrilled or disappointed. Six months later, he learns a little more, grows a little more....and loses his third tooth. The tooth fairy came again and left a $5 under his pillow.

Well, I don't know about you, but the tooth fairy left me silver. And not usually multiple silver, but one piece! A quarter usually. A $5 bill! Wow, I thought, the tooth fairy must be a nice lady (or man)...

My son proceeds down the stairs the morning after he lost that third tooth and is BUMMED OUT...yes that is what I said, bummed out, over the $5 bill. Why wasn't it more?!? I thought to myself, "what an unappreciative little brat." No, as a parent I didn't say it to him like that, but we did discuss being appreciative for what you get instead of always wanting more. Sometimes, you get nothing...I explained to him that there were many children (and adults) in the world that dodn't even get clean drinking water. Water that he asks if he can pour out of a perfectly good bottle of water!!!

A few days later my son comes home from school, "Hey mom, I lost another tooth. At 9:31 this morning, I lost another tooth!"

Awesome, I thought. The tooth fairy will be leaving silver this time...yeah!

He proceeds to trot down the stairs the next day. "Mom, mom, mom, THE TOOTH FAIRY LEFT ME 6 QUARTERS!!! YIIIIIIPPPPPEEEEEEEE." (Extremely excited, 6 quarters were LOADS better than the $5 bill.)

The tooth fairy will be leaving 10 dimes next time.