stories – Running on Fumes

From the deepest imaginary recesses of Mini’s mind – her thought was for me to chronicle parts of stories so she could later finish them.

You’re welcome.

We call this one The Real Tooth Fairy. Title subject to change.

What if the Tooth Fairy was an ancestor, determined pre-death to fill the role? As the Tooth Fairy is quite busy on a nightly basis, traversing thousands of miles to collect children’s teeth, then it only makes sense for there to be multiple tooth fairies. Unlike Santa Clause who is one and only as his job requires just shy of 24 hrs of work, the Tooth Fairy is exceptionally busier. Therefore, she (tooth fairy for girls, tooth men for boys) cannot be a single entity. So who gets to be the Tooth Fairy? Well, it is a generational appointment, beginning as far back as 7-9 previous generations. In theory, it could be my great great great great great great great grandmother. Then, every 100 years thereafter a new Tooth Fairy, still within my bloodline, assumes command. The reasoning is that it cannot be someone who is too close to the present generation as it could make a child suspicious. However, a closer generational family member, my grandmother, for example, could feasibly be the Elf (of the infamous Elf on the Shelf), especially as mini’s grandmother passed shortly before she got Peppermint (mini’s elf on the shelf). Peppermint is much like mini’s grandmother because both enjoy sitting and making mischief. Mini’s words, not mine.

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The reason I’m publishing this post now is because mini was formally accepted onto the UIL Oral Reading team. Did I mention this previously? She really played the part during tryouts and it was a success. The piece, titled “Homework Stew”, was very funny (to me). Her competition piece is something about seeing her teacher “out in the wild” on a Saturday, how teachers shouldn’t be allowed outside of the classroom, and, from the student’s point of view, how dangerous it is for them. Very laughter inducing. As I think mini could conquer the world by making people (me) laugh, this is the perfect introductory situation. She’ll have weekly practices leading up to a winter competition. More to come.

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I ask you –

On a scale of 1 to doubled over laughing, what is your score on her tooth fairy philosophy?

(The post From the mind of Mini first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

…”Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?”…

Those are the questions to ask when considering situations in which the options are to speak up or be silent. Although not mutually exclusive, it seems the best way forward is to answer these questions affirmatively: otherwise, stay silent.

I was honored with the opportunity to listen to an older gentleman who shared his perspective of returning “home” to finalize the estate of his late mother. His military career has taken him far and wide, here and there, yet he was notably saddened and a little perturbed at mentioning his friends and family’s reactions to his brief, sporadic trips. His disdain for the commonly repeated phrase “you’ve changed” or “you never visit” or the constant demand for time and attention when he returns without an offer to ever repeat the gesture was tangible. Somewhere during this conversation it struck me that these encounters happen no matter your age, status, or socioeconomic status. You will change. You should. And there will be people who only know how to take what you can give. So surround yourself with people who recognize the change… and embrace it.

Often I set myself up for disappointment when my expectations surpass ability. I know I’ve mentioned this same issue countless times but it plagues me. The latest example is not feeling satisfied with the small portion of my literature review due in a few weeks. I want to include passion, the emotions it elicits, the “me” of this research. But that’s not the goal. It should be straightforward, a masterpiece of regurgitation of others’ research. Why is it so hard? Because everything I do is laced with the excellence I expect of myself. 110%. Every time. No excuses. And somehow what keeps me going is also my biggest flaw.

In other news, I finished that literature review. To my knowledge, it’s exactly what they were looking for. Was it painful? Mostly yes. But I make easy things difficult for a living.

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I ask you –

Do you find silence difficult to achieve?

Are you aging with mischief?

Name something you always make so much more difficult than it has to be. I’d like to answer for mini: bedtime routine.

(The post Embrace the Change first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)