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In my earliest days as a mother I promised myself to absorb each moment with my children; I was mindful that tomorrow comes too soon to wish away today.  Still, a memory of my children as infants or toddlers will tease a smile and I relinquish myself to a moment of remembering.  Motherhood has gifted me generous portions of gratitude for everyday moments.

Last week a childhood milestone created simple moments of joy.  On an uncharacteristically warm day, when the seasons themselves seemed to be misplaced, my daughter emerged from school radiating happiness.  I felt the change as my mind read the lines of her face.  The raised eyebrows highlighting wide eyes and dimples punctuating a broad smile I leaned into her joy, finding the misplaced tooth.  The loose tooth that she had so patiently clung to had slipped free.

My daughter opened a pastel colored, plastic treasure box revealing her tiny tooth and then replaced one treasure for another, casting the tooth aside for a ladybug.  This is my daughter, spontaneous and passionate.  Clutching both treasures in her fists she began sharing the source of her smile with friends, teachers, and neighbors.  I could barely follow her spirited steps, so I kept my eyes on her face marking the subtle change and absorbing her enthusiasm.

Once home, her tooth was set aside.  My daughter spent the late afternoon in our backyard, first freeing the ladybug and then filling out her free time between the sandbox, water balloons, baseball, and chalk.  Long after her bath, tired eyes and slow footsteps turned frantic as we scoured the house in search of her forgotten tooth.  Amidst tears and with urgent efforts, the tooth was found and stored away in the traditional keepsake that had often nestled under my son’s pillow.

As my daughter gave in to sleep I gathered the moment close, momentarily allowing myself to permit a memory of my son’s sleeping form to merge with the present, each child sharing a milestone and my heart full with a simple joy.

Tagged: Milestone, Tooth