[April 29, 2024] Truth be told, the Tooth Fairy was always my favorite childhood myth. The red-suited Santa was a close second. In my imagination, this tooth fairy was a beautiful Tinkerbell-like pixie with tiny wings and the uncanny ability to sneak into our bedroom and place a quarter under my pillow. She would snatch the baby tooth without awakening my brother or me, who slept nearby.
I lost my baby teeth early, so I was very young when I got my first quarter, or maybe it was a dime. Come to think of it, it was a dime. With the cash, I bought bubble gum, a penny each.
For me, the Tooth Fairy ranks right up there with peanut butter and mayo sandwiches, Bigmama’s pecan pie, throwing dirt clods at wasp nests, eating watermelon on a hot day, and running through our neighbors’ yards pretending to be “army men.” Dubble Bubble was a brand of bubble gum, and it came in only one flavor, a weak hint of strawberry.
As a boy, I was highly candy-motivated. I stuffed my mouth full and chewed and chewed until my jaw ached. Then, I would save it by putting it in the top dresser drawer for later use the next day. Just thinking about it today makes my jaw ache; muscle memory from long ago, and who knows what was stuck in that used bubble gum.
Thanks to the Tooth Fairy, or rather thanks to my Mom, who surely must have been the culprit behind this generous fairy, I was often rewarded. My brother, two years younger, was jealous as I raked in those early dimes. I felt bad for him, so I shared my gum. Sharing was not in my nature, but Mom always told us to share because it was the Christian thing to do. She was right, but that didn’t matter much to me, as I hoarded a lot of candy.
I’ve been told that I was a “risk avoider” and that I would go out of my way to avoid getting hurt or getting punished by my parents or teachers for doing something really stupid. Recently, I took a psychological “test” to determine my personality type, and yes, the results did say I am prone to avoiding risk.
The way I look at it, why do something stupid without considering the ramifications? So, I was a reasonably well-behaved boy and ensured my baby teeth were properly tucked away in an envelope to make it easy for the Tooth Fairy. I wouldn’t want her/fairy/Mom to miss that tooth. I wanted that dime.
On one occasion, I caught my Mom with her hand under my pillow after I’d gone to bed with a baby tooth sealed securely in an envelope. Shocked that she would try to take the Tooth Fairy’s gift from me, I blurted out, “That’s my money.” My reaction was emotional at the time, but I’m glad my Mom was the forgiving type. I still remember the wide-eyed look on her face.
The first time I saw a dentist to check my teeth was when I was 14. Where I grew up, doctors were rare, and the only reason you went to the hospital was to die. I was scared of going to the dentist for the first time, but he gave me nitrous oxide, also called laughing gas, to calm my nerves while he filled a cavity. By then, all my baby teeth were gone. That’s a good thing.
I must have made a killing in dimes from the Tooth Fairy, losing more than a dozen baby teeth. That’s a whole two dollars, a veritable fortune for a kid. I was anxious but a happy kid. Like the British say, “Let’s crack on,” and keep this superstition alive and well.
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NOTE: See all my letters here: https://www.theleadermaker.com/granddaughter-letters/
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Please read my books:
Now, after reading this letter, I can see what others have been writing about. Well done. Harks back to when I was young in the 1990s.
This is why I keep coming back to this website: https://www.theleadermaker.com.
Indeed, a wonder series of letters that now go back a full year. Will Gen. Satterfield continue these for another year or stop them or what. I hope these letters continue, not because they are often humorous but because these letters let us look inside the psyche of Gen. S. as a little boy and we can imagine us being there with him and having fun, being scared, running from bullies, going camping and hunting, living with his brother and sisters, picking cotton, milking cows, rummaging thru the town dump, getting a broken arm – twice, etc. What a journey to take.
A loving letter and one that tells us just a little more about what helped make Gen. S. a good man and a successful army officer.
Yes, indeed, Karl. I think that applies to us all. You can learn a lot here by just reading these daily articles, and don’t forget to also read the two articles that Gen. Satterfield selects under DAILY FAVORITES. These selected articles also give us a picture of what great leaders are thinking. Don’t be fooled by the oversimplification we hear from stupid elite politicians today, pay attention to good folks like Gen. Satterfield.
Well said, Bernie. Yes, do read all the parts of this blog.
And also read his books.
“55 Rules for a Good Life” is my favorite: https://www.amazon.com/55-Rules-Good-Life-Responsibility/dp/1737915529/
Gen. Satterfield sure is writing some wonderful letters these days to his granddaughter. That shows that he is a loving grandparent and I’m sure used somethng similar on his kids. Remember that he once wrote that he read stories to his kids every night (except when he was away defending the nation) and made up stories to tell them in bed before they went to sleep. Those are the kinds of things loving parents do. Those same loving parents do everything to make sure the home life is peaceful and calm. That is what helps made a stable, productive kid who grows into a responsible adult. God Bless, Gen. Satterfield. 🙏🏽
Nicely said, Rev Cain. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Right, ZB, Gen. S. is one who knows what he is writing about. Sometimes, he writes to formulate his thinking because no one else is thinking the same way. He develops ideas right here in his blog and then comes out with something great. In this case, these letters to his granddaughter are a look back upon his growing up in the Deep South with two lower-middle-class parents who would do anything for their kids. I for one am impressed with these letters.
That is what we all are thinking. Yep. Love these letters of love.
FUNNY, ENTERTAINING, and LOVING.
Good one, Gen. S. Makes me addicted to your letters.
On one occasion, I caught my Mom with her hand under my pillow after I’d gone to bed with a baby tooth sealed securely in an envelope. Shocked that she would try to take the Tooth Fairy’s gift from me, I blurted out, “That’s my money.” My reaction was emotional at the time, but I’m glad my Mom was the forgiving type. I still remember the wide-eyed look on her face. – Gen. Satterfield hit on something important here. Let us not overlook it.
Of course, the idea that his mother was a wonderful person, forgiving of an immature child, making sure his memories of his youth were good times.
Love your letters, Gen. Satterfield. Thank you, you made my day.
Gen. Satterfield, you sure know how to build the suspense in your letters. Already now we are at #69 and still going along with your experiences as a little kid. We all, fortunately, have experiences as a kid that imprints upon us and impacts us as an adult, both good and bad. We need all to learn from them, and adopt the right and positive attitude that no matter what our family and God comes first, and then we can use that base as a platform to propel ourselves into the world, like a baby bird being thrown from the nest, only to fly away and become an independent bird. Sir, keep up this wonderful and loving series of “Letters to My Granddaughter.” I’m hooked on them.
Nicely worded, The Golly Woman. I too think the same way. And these letters push my own thinking back to when I was a kid growing up in Chicago. My old neighborhood now is controlled by crime. Sad to see those who lived there so long have to endure the shame of the Democrat Party destroy what was once such a fine city.
This is a sad story Jerome, but for every sad story there is also a good and happy story to be had. Keep reading these letters and you shall see.
https://www.amazon.com/55-Rules-Good-Life-Responsibility/dp/1737915529/
I too remember losing my baby teeth and getting money from the tooth fairy. Ah, childhood dreams.
Great ending to this letter. “I must have made a killing in dimes from the Tooth Fairy, losing more than a dozen baby teeth. That’s a whole two dollars, a veritable fortune for a kid. I was anxious but a happy kid. Like the British say, “Let’s crack on,” and keep this superstition alive and well.” – Gen. Doug Satterfield writes from experience with kids and families.
Yes, he does, mainer. Best quote of the article.
Wow, thank you, Gen. Satterfield now for two days in a row we get letters to your granddaughter. I’m she is very amused by your letters at this stage in her life, like I am ( he he he ) but later she will begin to understand that there is more to life and that is in your letters too. This one about the tooth fairy is funny and serious. One has to dig a little deeper than the surface story to see beneath the ideas you have here. And the parts played by your mother and the rest of your family. There is a togetherness here that is an unbreakable bond, forged through shared experiences and the love of family.
Just love these letters, so please please please keep them coming.
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Nice emoji ………. 😎
❤❤❤❤❤ and love the letter too ❤❤❤❤❤
Indeed, and yes we all love the letter too. This series is clearly the best taht Gen. Satterfield has written in a long time and I”m hooked. What will be next? I”m ready for it.
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Gen. Satterfield has done it again.