Over the years, my daughters have had a private correspondence with a very special  . . . um, being.  These are personal and sensitive messages that, until recently, have been secreted in a shoebox under the bed.  We think, perhaps, that enough time has passed.  Please be gentle with them.

Tooth Fairy Letter #2, Found May 28, 2005

5/28/05

Dear Emma,

Congratulations! You finally lost that second tooth!

And you pulled it out yourself this time! That was very brave.  Wow!  I guess you don’t need anybody (like your teacher) to bump into you anymore. You can take care of this stuff yourself.

Emma, it sure is taking a long time for me to get them, but I just love your teeth!!  I’m so excited!  They have such powerful magic in them!   They are SO worth the wait.  By the time I get them, your teeth are literally overflowing with sparkling powerful magic!

I know I left some (sparkly) money for you, but because I’m getting so much from you with each tooth, I still feel like I owe you something.  They are just so valuable.  You don’t need to tell anybody this, but just one of your teeth has as much magic as 10 of the teeth I normally collect from kids.

So . . .

Can you keep a secret?

Remember what I told you last time about what makes a tooth magical? Age, Health, and Goodness? Well your teeth are so magical because they are high in all three of these things.

Keep up the good work!

And now for the secret . . .

Let me tell you a little bit about what I do with the teeth I get.

A lot of people get confused about this. Some people think I use them like bricks and build magical white castles (snicker).  Some people think I collect them in jars and just save them (he he).  Well (ahem), I don’t do either of those things.

(Where do people get these crazy ideas?)

Want to know what I really do with them?

I grind them up.

Yep.  I know.  Maybe that sounds strange.  But it’s true.  I grind them up into a really fine powder.

Actually I grind them up so much that I make a light powdery dust.

Tooth dust.

It’s really pretty cool.  But that’s not the coolest part.  Tooth dust by itself is . . . well, to be honest–it’s worthless.  It’s worthless, that is, until I add another special secret ingredient that I get from some friends of mine.

I’m running out of room here, so I’ll just say that the two ingredients alone don’t really do much.  But when mixed together . . . WOWY ZOWY and PRESTO!

MAGIC FAIRY DUST!

If you’re a good secret keeper, I’ll tell you the other ingredient next time. But for now, just keep being the wonderful little girl that you are. You are truly a magical, wonderful child. And I love you.

Sincerely,

The Tooth Fairy

Over the years, my daughters have had a private correspondence with a very special  . . . um, being.  These are personal and sensitive messages that, until recently, have been secreted in a shoebox under the bed.  We think, perhaps, that enough time has passed.  Please be gentle with them.

Tooth Fairy Letter #1, Found December 23, 2004

12/23/04

Dear Emma,

Congratulations! You finally lost that tooth!

What a relief!  Do you feel any differently now that you’ve lost it?

Like a lot of things growing up, losing a tooth can be a little scary.  For you, I’m sure it probably felt like it took FOR-EV-ER.  When your just a young girl, a lot of things feel like that.  I know that most of your friends have already lost a few teeth. Don’t feel badly because you’ve only lost one so far. There are three things that make teeth special to me—and this tooth has all of them. This is a very magical tooth and I’m glad to have it. Do you want to know what those three things are?

1. Age:  The older a tooth is, the more time it has had to soak in all of the good magic that you create.
2. Health:  A good, strong, white, pearly tooth always holds more magic than teeth that are starting to decay.
3. Goodness:  A tooth from the mouth of a good child always has more powerful magic within.  The kinder the child, the stronger the magic.  You’re a very loving and caring kid, Emma.  So, naturally, your tooth is super-duper strong–and has lots of magic inside of it.

Emma, I’ll explain more about the magic, and what I do with your teeth later (probably next time you lose a tooth), but for now just know that you are a very special girl.  You have within you lots and lots of love.  This means that you also have very special teeth. Magical teeth.  Powerful teeth.

So keep on being that wonderful, unique girl that you are.  Keep taking care of those teeth. I love you very much.  Thank you for letting me have your first tooth.  It will help me to do a lot of good.

Sincerely,

The Tooth Fairy

The Tooth Fairy

Folks,

Some of you are, no doubt, growing tired of of these political posts.  I don’t blame you.

By nature, I’m not that into politics. And truth be told, I grow weary of this fight.

But it’s stuff like this that blows my mind and reminds me to keep shouting.  The truth must be known.

Please read this link: GOP redistricting maps make dramatic changes

“With recalls pending, GOP releases redistricting plan: A quick vote . . . before recall elections . . . would let Republicans lock down advantages at the ballot box for the next 10 years by drawing maps in their favor.”

Remember: Today, Republicans own Wisconsin.  Please consider though, who owns the Republicans–and what has happened so far:

1. Refusal to listen to constituents, even after unprecedented public outcry
2. Votes and discussion behind closed doors (violated open meetings LAW)
3. Ignored judge’s orders
4. Made it harder to vote
5. Run fake candidates, forcing Democratic primaries and increased the cost of the recall elections by over $400,000
6. Violence in the Supreme Court
7. Decimated public education (and demoralized educators) while at the same time funding private schools in Milwaukee and cutting taxes.
8. Rolled back environmental protections.
9. Rolled back citizens rights by making it harder for people injured by negligent corporations to get justice.
10. And now, rushed to redraw the district voting lines BEFORE recall elections–which would give them an advantage for at least the next 10 years.

Let’s be clear.  Republicans OWN Wisconsin.  From the Governor, to the Senate, to the Assembly to the Supreme Court.  They can do whatever they want–without discussion, without compromise, without negotiation.  And this is exactly what they are doing.

This blatant power grab is unprecedented and remarkable.  Anywhere.  And at any time in history.

Let this be another powerful reason why this election is like no other. We have to take back the Senate NOW.  If you think this bit of is legislation is suspicious, just consider what will happen if we lose these summer elections.

You think they are done destroying public education, rolling back environmental protections, making it harder to vote, privatizing government institutions (like schools, prisons, the department of commerce, Wiscnet–the NON-PROFIT internet supplier to libraries and schools) grabbing power at every opportunity?  By their own admission, they’re only getting started.

These are the kinds of political games that people are growing so tired of.  They (Walker, Harsdorf and the rest) are getting beat up in the polls.  So what do they do?  Change the rules . . . again.

Seriously, every morning I think–I’m done sending emails, marching in parades, writing letters to the editor, making videos.  I’ve got a garden to weed.  Bills to pay.  Kids to take care of.  The other day, somebody referred to me as a “good activist,” and I thought, what the hell has happened to me?  I’m out.  I’m done.

This is not who I am.

But then, by the end of the day, I undoubtedly hear or read something else that is happening in Madison.  And my blood boils anew.  I am aghast.  I can’t believe my eyes/ears.

I do this because I am deeply concerned about our families, our schools, our communities, our children, our chances.

Please do what you can, everyone, to understand and then shed the light of truth on Wisconsin.  After all, we are all in this together.  Or at least . . . we used to be.

Thanks,

Chris

 

“If I could give three words of advice, they would be ‘tell the truth.’ If I got three more words, I’d add: ‘All the time.’ –Randy Pausch, in, The Last Lecture

Here’s the thing we have to remember: Politicians use language.  They search for phrases that will resonate hypnotically within us.  Good political phrases are like gold to politicians, because with them, they can frame the issues and easily influence us.

Take the phrase, “Tax Relief”, for example.  President Bush’s team came up with that one and he made magic every time he used it.  Why?  It totally frames the issue of taxes.  In order for there to be “relief” there has to be an affliction.  It’s a perfect frame.  That one little phrase influenced the way millions of Americans thought about taxes.  Instantly “Taxes” became an “affliction” for which we all needed “relief.”  We haven’t been able to have an intelligent discussion about taxes since

Over the past few months, we’ve heard Harsdorf and Walker refer to the “Special Interests” involved in the recalls, hoping that voters wouldn’t think about who that really is.

It’s a strategy that allows Harsdorf to appear to be protecting tax-payers (who need relief) from something scary — kind of like the boogeyman.  It’s a fear Harsdorf wants you to have.  She needs there to be a “special interests” boogeyman so she can protect you from it.

But remember when you were young, and you thought the boogeyman was in your closet? Remember how foolish you felt when your mom turned on the light and it was just a lump of dirty clothes?

Unlike our moms, Harsdorf wants to keep us in the dark—and very much afraid. That boogeyman she’s calling “special interests”?  Yeah, those “special interests” are the teachers at your school, organizing food drive competitions between classes two weeks before Thanksgiving.  It’s the non-profit broadband provider, WiscNet, bringing affordable internet access to your libraries, public schools and universities.  They’re the police, firefighters, snowplow and ambulance drivers keeping us safe.  It’s the dad across the street, ashamed because his kids’ clothes are too small.  You know these people.

While collecting signatures to recall Harsdorf in my hometown earlier this spring, I was often confronted by angry Harsdorf supporters.  Repeatedly, I was asked where I came from and how much I was getting paid.  They didn’t believe me when I said I was from St. Croix Falls, and was paid nothing. When I told them I was a teacher, many called me a freeloader—or worse.

It shocked me.

Upon reflection, however, it makes perfect sense.  These angry Harsdorf supporters believe and trust her.  They were afraid.  And I was the boogeyman.  My hope is that enough people will turn on the light and begin to wonder—if Harsdorf isn’t telling the truth about special interests, what else is she lying about?

Today, remember that you are free — both from and to.

The answer to your, “Huh?”

Emma and Nora,

I guess the lesson to be learned here is that you just never know.

Right?

I mean . . . 15 minutes.  That’s not nearly enough time.  But at least I get the chance to do this.  Not many do.  And so, I’m going to leave you with this:

I love you.

More than anything.  Ever.  I love . . .  You are . . .  a part of me.  A big part.  And I could go on, but just know that, okay? I love you.  Hugely.   Immensely.  Powerfully.

And now, because I am, after all, your father . . . I just have to do this.  You know.  I can’t be here now, so I need to leave you with some markers.  Some landmarks.  Some light posts.

Live it.

All that sentimental stuff you read in poetry about every moment being sacred, and enjoy the journey and all that?  Sure it’s true, but, seriously . . . every moment?  Our brains just aren’t wired that way.  Just do the best you can.

Be aware.

You can’t stop it.  The world, the stress, the energy.  It’s all just here.  Swirling.  Open up to it.  Accept it.  Love it.  Enjoy it.

Because, really–you can’t screw it up.

So relax.  Just do the best you can, and search for the humor in it all.  There is power in humor.  More power than any of us can really grasp.  Follow it.  The path of whimsy is straight and I think it’s true.  And if it’s not, you can at least be sure it won’t hurt you.

It’s safe.  Trust that.

There’s much more to say here about humor, and I’d love to show you a way to attach it to forgiveness, but the clock’s ticking here and I need to get on to a few other big guiding principles.

Your mom is awesome. I love her too.  And I’d write her if I had more time.  My point is, listen to her.  She’s got a good head.  But she may not always be able to help.  And in those cases, when you’re agonizing over a decision, ask yourself which is the path of love . . . for others sure, but mostly—for yourself.

Love yourself.

Take care of yourself.  Be gentle.  Forgive yourself.  You’re fine.  You’re awesome!!  So please, for me, but mostly for you, don’t worry.  Live your life.  Seek and follow love, and humor, and light.

Understand also that there will be fear, and anger, and really—that’s okay.

It’s all good.  It’s all part of it.  Drill down and expose the fear.  Call it by name and bring it to the light.  Don’t resist it.  Tell the truth about it.  The sooner the better.

I absolutely love this from Joseph Campbell:

“We have not even to risk the hero’s adventure alone, for the heroes of all time have gone before us. The labyrinth is thoroughly known.

We have only to follow the thread of the hero path.

And where we had thought to find an abomination, we shall find a god.

And where we had thought to slay another, we shall slay ourselves.

Where we had thought to travel outward, we shall come to the center of our own existence.

And where we had thought to be alone, we shall be with all the world.”

–Joseph Campbell

Ooh, ooh and this one’s good too:

Come To The Edge–by Christopher Logue

Come to the edge.
We might fall.
Come to the edge.
It’s too high!
COME TO THE EDGE!
And they came,
and he pushed them,
and they flew.

Take risks. More often than not, you’ll surprise yourself with what you’re capable of.

And now my time (this time around) is up.  I’m sure we’ll bump into each other again.  We are connected and leaving you this time hurts.  But I leave today without fear.  I leave filled with hope.  And I know you will bring light into this world.

Dad.

(What’s this all about?  Fear not, just my response to a writing prompt.)