12/31/2011

Fairy Imaginings

  "If a child is to keep alive her inborn sense of wonder without any such gift from the fairies,
she needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it,
 rediscovering with her the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in"
 She has an earnest love of books,




fostered by her book-loving Mom,
who keeps her well supplied





 With an imagination that makes you truly appreciate






So when she puts on pajamas





and asks for a bedtime story,
 





I joyfully embrace the ritual
  as part of the special relationship
  this Nana and Granddaughter share.


One night she suddenly decides
to put aside the bedside books 





asking for a "made-up" story instead.







She requests it be about a fairy...






Like a camp out, with the bed covers as our tent







I begin with.....







what it would be like
to actually meet a fairy?
  Not the fake ones in the stores
but a real live fairy !








Together,
we explore how we could make this happen.





She somehow knows
they live in the woodlands
and I begin to see
this magical world through her eyes







We must wait for a full moon 
for fairies gather and celebrate during this time.








We cannot be shy






and we cannot hide.





We agree to be brave in the dark.







 We must also be quiet,
and listen for their light, clear, tinkle music
  in the woods behind the house,
and past the swing.







She knows they live here,
and speaks softly of the path
leading up to their house.






I describe what I feel
is a perfectly wonderful fairy house





NOT, she says firmly. 
      Don't I know they live only at the bottom
of towering trees.






Do they decorate with a mushroom table and seats,
I ask?






She shrugs, unsure,
but admits,
"a mushroom would be a soft place to sleep."







I suggest pink boots would be pretty and warm
when the dew forms on the grass



or fancy dancing shoes
for those "full moon"parties...








She reminds me
REAL fairies only use things from the woods








Well then, I say,
Let's imagine how they could use a leaf for a chair.






Of course, their food must be all natural





and their water pure and crystal clear.







She agrees wholeheartedly 
and then names the animals of the forest
as their friends.








who help them stay warm through the cold winters







I get caught up in the magic
and this world becomes real for me, too.
Suddenly we're both excited about what we describe
and how wonderful it would be
to witness the fairies dancing around us. 
 







Or to watch as they do their work......





or create some mischief.......
for even fairies can get "timeout".








We both wonder if we could catch one





After all,
isn't that what the fairy jars are for?.........






 She falls asleep,
and dreams of having her own fairy friend
to play with.






Our story expands with each retelling
throughout the summer months,
 and I realize..






 I help her forage
for acorns, twigs, pine cones, and moss








I watch as she climbs to scout out the area








and I encourage her to build a fairy house
in her own backyard.







We talk of setting up lanterns
to help them find their way.






We hope to find some fairy dust,
they must sell it somewhere.... 







I whisper about the best way 
to sprinkle it on her hands.




And she whispers back
that I must help her send it toward the woods.






She hugs me and asks,
"They'll be a sign they've heard our wish?"







and we leave the window open in welcome.






because        







 You see, in our stories,
the fairy always makes her way to us.


  We wouldn't have it
any other way.



Ella Soleil, this one's for you.
I love you,
 and treasure all our imaginings.

Happy Birthday !



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