"If you want to introduce this delightful summertime custom into your family's repertoire of pastimes, begin by telling your children that legend says that on Midsummer Night, the fairy realm holds its annual revels and is visible to human eyes (if you're lucky enough to notice), as William Shakespeare reminds us in A Midsummer Night's Dream. And the fairies expect a party." --Mrs. Sharp's Traditions
So we pulled out Anya's tea set and provided the fairies a muffin, raspberry, and jelly bellies...with a cup of juice. If we provide refreshments, the fairies provide a gift.
This year, however, Mark saw the gift "the fairies" (i.e.: Karen) were making out in the garage. So did James._
It's tough growing up.
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Mark was pretty upset to learn that fairies weren't real...or Santa...or the Tooth Fairy...or...and I wasn't prepared in the slightest for that kind of conversation. But we had it. Mark wanted Karen to lose her privileges for 24 hours for lying (that's the consequence in our home for lying). He told us that he had some doubts all along...but still believed. He took it pretty hard.
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Anya came up to Karen a few weeks ago and stated/questioned, "Fairies aren't real, are they?" Karen answered truthfully and shared the importance of childhood fantasy and make believe and imagination. Anya took it very differently than Mark. She knows Santa and fairies aren't real, but enjoys believing simply for the fun of childhood. I wish I could remember what that phase of life felt like.
_
But Mark's ok now. And he has promised not to spoil it for the younger ones. James never said anything. I think he still wants to believe, too.
_
This year we also found that the fairies moved into one of the trees in the backyard. Anya was the first to discover it.
The light by the door turns on at night to let us know when they're home. :)
I think this is one of Anya's favorite celebrations. She was holding onto one of her fairy dolls while looking out the window watching for the fairies to begin dancing in the yard at dusk.
What if adults exercised a little more childhood innocence?
5 comments:
this seriously is one of my all-time favorite posts. it made me cry and it made me really really happy.
and it made me want to believe more than i do.
i miss you guys SO much.
xoxo
How precious! It's also hard for them to hang on to their innocence when the other kids on the street "inform" your child of things you are so wanting them to hang on to for a little while longer.
I hope you know how much Heavenly Father enjoys you and what you are doing with His children. And a loving thank you from one happy grandpa.
You know- how do we know they aren't real? There could be creatures like fairies on other planets. I know it sounds weird but I think there is more to this world then we know and that we see. Scientist are always discovering new things. I believe that folklores have some reality to them. I think if they are real then they are protected from man and that is why we don't see them. I am still holding out hope. I think dragons could be real too.
My mom was very good about never being dishonest about Santa. The gift tags had our names and the from line was blank. If we asked her directly she told us. If we wanted to believe she let us. She allowed us to have our fantasy, didn't discourage it but at the same time didn't go out of the way to play up the whole Santa and Easter bunny thing either. I think the fairy house is precious.
Karen-
I saw this site and thought of your kids. There is a section with free patterns to.
http://thesilverpenny.homestead.com/index.html
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