The Pain and the Joy

Eliza has had one of her front teeth loose for quite a while now. It was so loose that it actually pushed over next to the other tooth and left a big gap. Everyone kept asking her if she lost a tooth. "Not yet," she would say. She would not allow anyone to touch it, so I knew it would have to come out by taking a bite of something or being bumped into. Randy mentioned that surely someone at school will bump into her and he was right. I got a call from the school nurse. She said that in music class, the kids were playing in a huge tent. The music teacher, Mr. Boggs came in the tent, the kids got excited and someone plowed into Eliza. Her tooth was hanging by a string and her mouth was bleeding. She said that she was not allowed to pull teeth and could I come in. I was so grateful that I had decided not to run an errand all the way out by the mall that day. I was thinking about going. The nurse asked me how far away I lived. I told her, I was very close and would be right there. When I got there, Eliza was sitting in a little chair facing the nurse. I could only see her cute little pony tails and her shoulders. I walked in and she was bawling. Ms. Scurry, (the nurse) said that Eliza was so very upset about all this. I noticed that Eliza had some gauze in her hand. I asked her if I could pull her tooth. She handed it right to me, cried, and held still. I barely touched it, and it was out. She went from crying to complete shock. Her eyes got so big. I told her it was out. She couldn't believe how quick and easy it was. Her team teacher was in the clinic and said since school was almost over, I might just want to take her home. I asked Eliza what she wanted to do. Without saying a word, Eliza grabbed her teacher's hand and walked straight out the door and back towards class, giggling in delight. She was thrilled and wanted to show off her missing tooth. I walked out of the clinic and went straight home. It took all of 1 minute or so. Since then, her hole in her mouth has brought her much joy. She has been tickled pink about it for a few days now. Oh, the joys of being 6!

Oh happy day!