32 Comments
User's avatar
Tara Connor's avatar

I remember when our daughter lost her first tooth, she sat there for a moment holding it and then asked with a trembling lip, "Do people sometimes cry when they lose their first tooth?" She has worried every milestone like a rock in her pocket. "What if I don't want to be [fill in the looming age]? She's still doing it as 20 approaches. I love that she has seen the import of these things her whole life. This is a big one for your family. Sending lots of hugs and love and tooth fairy magic.

Expand full comment
Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

Oh, precious girl. My eight-year-old is like that (in fact, all my girls have been like that). I remember my (now) 18-year-old telling me, when she was six, that she didn’t ever want to move out of our house because she would miss me and her dad too much.

Expand full comment
Tara Connor's avatar

My daughter used to ask me how she could ever leave us. She couldn’t imagine it. And I told her, when it’s time, you’ll be ready. Of course, she remembered that and when she first went off to college informed that in fact I’d been wrong, because even though it was time she was NOT ready. We’re so lucky to live with these amazing humans, aren’t we?

Expand full comment
Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

So lucky 💛. Oddly enough, it was the 18 year old who initiated the big move earlier this year!

Expand full comment
Mark Rico's avatar

Such a bittersweet envoy...

Expand full comment
Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

Truly.

Expand full comment
Mary Pierce's avatar

So so tender. Brings a smile to my heart. Precious times. You are truly blessed.❤️

Expand full comment
Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

Thank you, Mary. It made me so happy to write this poem.

Expand full comment
Rachael Menzie's avatar

Like a fallen leaf 🥺

Expand full comment
Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

💛

Expand full comment
Treasa's avatar

Beautiful but heart wrenching, but what a gorgeous set of teeth. I'm envious!

Expand full comment
Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

Aww! Thank you 😊.

Expand full comment
Susan Kirkpatrick's avatar

Beautiful ! And a beautiful boy !!

Expand full comment
Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

Thank you, Susan. He really is 💛.

Expand full comment
Weston Parker's avatar

Lovely, thank you.

Expand full comment
Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

Thank you for reading it, Weston!

Expand full comment
Kim Nelson's avatar

You lovingly highlight the profound poignancy of the firsts for one's last.

Expand full comment
Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

Thank you, Kim 💛.

Expand full comment
Rebecca Cooley's avatar

Gorgeous poem! Your work is among my very favourite poetry on Substack! So original, compelling, and fresh, not too mention heart-warmingly evocative!!! ♥️👏✍️💞💖

Expand full comment
Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

Rebecca! That is such a huge compliment—thank you so much. I love writing here (and being read—it is the best gift).

Expand full comment
Judith Silver's avatar

I feel like crying, my heart is so squeezed, no words.

Expand full comment
Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

💛💛💛

Expand full comment
Kym VdP's avatar

Ooh so beautiful!! I love the first verse!

Expand full comment
Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

Thank you, Kym! I loved writing this one.

Expand full comment
Tamsin 🍂's avatar

Love the imagery.

Expand full comment
Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

Thank you, Tamsin. This felt like it just poured right out 💛.

Expand full comment
Kim Whysall-Hammond's avatar

Oh yes I remember those times.

Expand full comment
Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

😊

Expand full comment
Monica P.'s avatar

This brought back to me beautiful memories of my own children. Thank you so much for sharing this.

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment deleted
Sep 25
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

Also, thank you for the restack!

Expand full comment
Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

I love hearing this story, Rick. It’s so cute to think of your son testing his other teeth for looseness right after losing the first one 😊.

Expand full comment
Rebecca Cooley's avatar

What a moving story, Rick!!! Thank you for sharing it with everyone blessed to read it here! It is so touching that you wrapped the money in some shiny gold wrapping paper, and his reactions to it! You sound like an amazing Dad! Awwwww! <3 <3 <3

Expand full comment