With adult children, you seriously have to have some thick skin. Apparently, your children are all now so much smarter than you. They, also remember things way differently than they actually happened. As a result you tend to catch some grief. Pointing out your parenting mistakes gives them joy. Heaven forbid, you say something stupid in their presence or even slip and fall, you are toast!
Well, I was very happy to oblige on the eve of my middle child, Katie’s birthday. I cooked all day for the crew. I bought a plant, cards, balloons, cupcakes, the works. That was NOT what made her happy as a clam. Earlier in the afternoon, I broke off part of, not just any tooth, no, but my front one. I was NOT happy with the situation. But I was about to get some perspective. So, you can imagine… yes there is a gap. Did I seriously think that with my two oldest daughters in the room that my defect could escape notice. Yeah, right!
Literally, I walked in carrying all these goodies and said, “Happy Birthday” and Katie said to me, “Did you loose your tooth?” I smiled and she just lost it. She was laughing so hard I didn’t think she would ever stop. It was one of those “good for you” gut wrenching belly laughs. So, of course, it’s contagious and the ripple effect began. The rest of the room, including myself, fell out laughing. She was hurting, she was laughing so hard. Then she said, “Who needs gifts, this is awesome, can we face time Devin?”. Absolutely, Not!!!
TC was there as well, so the jokes began and lasted all night. “You fit right in now, here in Bastrop County”, “Well, at least you won’t get anything stuck in your teeth”, “How’s that whistle?” Then more jokes about if I arrive in the Bahamas next week looking like this. I just added to their joy. told them when I stopped at the convenience store to get water, the clerk looked up and had a missing front tooth. We bonded. They all lost it again. “Did you give her a nod? Or do you now have a special handshake?”, says TC
Today, I will be searching out a dentist that can repair this situation before I leave on Sunday. However, It brings me great pleasurr to bring joy to my children, no matter the reason. I am happy to always be the butt of the jokes. Laughing is good for the soul.