Mermaids, Unicorns, and Fairies

When you have two little girls, your life revolves around fairy tales. At least ours does. We are always watching movies about princes and princesses. Certain Disney movies reign supreme in our house. Hercules, the Lion King, the Little Mermaid, Snow White...we watch them over and over and over again. We play mermaids in the bathtub. Amelia's favorite books right now are still the fairy books. We just finished the pet fairy series, and she can't wait to start the next set. She loves to draw and make books and write stories and they're all about My Little Pony, or fairies. Her story starters in her first grade class are all about fairies. One time, the teacher accidentally put another student's story in her folder. This story was about the Seahawks and football and I was so excited that she was writing a story about football. I stuck in on the fridge with a magnet, displaying it proudly. Amelia walked through and said, "Um, mommy...why do you have Ryan's football story stuck to the fridge?" "Oh...Ryan's story? Why do you have Ryan's story?" "I don't know...I guess it was a mistake. Why is it on the fridge?" "Oh, I don't know. I thought you wrote it." Her mouth dropped open as she stared at me and shook her head. "Mommy, why on earth would I write about football? I only write about fairies." I should have known this... But, back to the topic...we are always talking about fairies. Tonight, after we read Harriet the Hamster Fairy, I tucked her into bed and she looked at me with her sad face, which is the prompt for me to ask what is wrong. "Amelia, what's wrong? Why are you sad?" "Because..." "Because why?" "Because...I just wish so bad that fairies were real." "Well, who said that they weren't?" "Well, duh mommy...I've never seen one before so they can't be real." "Really? That's your test for if something is real? Do you think that Jesus is real?" Amelia gasped at me and said, "Of course he is real, mommy. Why would you even say that?" "Well, have you ever seen him?" "No." "So, that theory doesn't work, does it?" "I guess not, but do you really think you should be comparing Jesus to fairies?" Thinking that she had a good point, I said, "No, I don't think I should compare Jesus to fairies because Jesus is for sure real, but we can't be too sure about fairies, can we?" "I don't think they're real...but Joe in my class, he says that they are real! He says that he saw one before. I wasn't sure if he was trying to trick me, but he wasn't smiling or anything! So, I just have to keep looking." "That's right, Amelia! It makes me happy that you believe! Because I do too!" I kissed her on the forehead and started to head out of the door. "Mommy, just one more thing!" "What's that, Amelia?" "Do you know why I want there to be fairies so bad?" "Why, Amelia?" "Because they are good and fun and magical. And I think that there are too many things in real life that are just the opposite. Like my daddy dying, and like you not feeling well and having seizures, and people getting sick, and Lisa breaking her leg and being sick, and so many people hurting and feeling bad. I think we all could use a little fairy in our lives. And not just fairies. I think we need fairies, but I think we also need mermaids and unicorns...everything that is good and fun and magical. We need those things because life is too hard. Things are bad, and sad, and just too much. I'd rather talk about fairies than about not having a daddy. And wouldn't it be so fun if we could just think about unicorns and not cancer or being sick. So, I think we should look harder! We need to look harder for fairies and unicorns and mermaids! We need to believe that there really are these things. Because if Joe can see a fairy, I should be able to, don't ya think?" I smiled at my wise little girl and agreed with her. "We should look harder, sweetheart!" "Yeah, but mommy? We can only look for fairies or mermaids or unicorns. You know why? With our luck, we'd find a giant or a goblin or a Go-Gurt." "Did you say Go-Gurt? Like yogurt is a bad thing?" She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "No, mommy...you know...a Go-Gurt. Like Shrek." "Oh! An Ogre...it's Ogre, honey." "Whatever, mommy...just avoid them, OK? We don't need anymore bad around here! Sheesh! I love you, mommy!" "I love you, Amelia." And I walked down the hallway to the living room. And once again, I cried. We do need magic in our lives! We all do. There were so many instances just today of times when we need magic. I have students who are struggling with death, and their mommas are too. I have teacher friends who are spending holidays missing loved ones. I have friends who are sick, friends who have cancer, friends who are injured. People are tired and stressed and worried and pressured. And in the midst of it all, I cry! I'm a crier anyway, but it's gotten worse lately and I'm not sure why. Other than I'm tired and stressed and worried and pressured. Other than I'm heading into the holiday stretch, which is hard. Other than my girl is talking more and more and I'm worried for her. There is just so much going on, but Amelia is right! We need to look harder. We need to look harder for the fairies and the mermaids and the unicorns. And not literally those things, but the happiness and joy and youth that they represent! We need to look harder for the things that made us happy and peaceful and young! There is so much hurt and hate and anger and angst in the world. Politics is stressful and the direction that our country is headed. Work is full of stressors, for all workers I'm sure, but especially for teachers and people in education. There is just so much heartache and tragedy in the world. Sometimes it's hard to stop and think about the magic of life! Because there is magic in everyday things. And I am lucky to have two little girls who remind me about the magic each and everyday. Working doesn't give me much time with them during the week, but when I am home it's pretending and magic and make-believe. It warms my heart when I reach into their hampers at the end of the week and the only clothes that are in there are pajamas and princess dresses...sign of a successful week! So, I hope that you take the time for magic...take the time to pause and really look for the fairies and mermaids and unicorns in your life...and take the time for prayer. Prayers for others in need, prayers for peace and joy, and especially at this time of year, prayers of Thanksgiving for the many blessings that we have in life. For although I am quick to see the losses and think about the hardships, I need to remember the blessings. For I am indeed blessed! I have a roof over our heads and a lovely home and yard for my girls to grow. I have a great job working with kids that I love. I have two of the most beautiful, smart, amazing little girls on the planet. I have a wonderful, loving family who are amazing and so important to all of us. I have the best friends anyone could ask for! I am blessed! I have it all! And I am so lucky to be able to be on the search for fairies. Take time to join me, because it's the best things in the world! And they're out there somewhere.