Starlit Heart: Songs From the Fish No. 2

Hello All

This song is inspired by a story idea I pulled from the fish, but cannot find. The story itself, while a line of it came from the fish tureen, was actually inspired by something that happened involving my daughter.

Sorcha loves books and like many kids, she loved to be read to. However, as soon as she learned to read, we were done. She never asked to be read to again. She just asked for more books to read. Before she finished kindergarten, she started reading chapter books. Her first chapter book, given to her by her Nana Rule, was Rainbow Magic Heather the Violet Fairy by Daisy Meadows. It was actually the 6th book in a series of 7 books about 2 girls who have adventures together in the world of colour fairies. If you're familiar with Daisy Meadows and her fairy books you will know that these are not the hardest and deepest of reads but to my wee one, this was the               beginning of a great adventure of her own.

One of her adventures began when she asked if we could order her the Book of Faeries from a Scholastic Book order. The book arrived on a sunny day in early fall and not only

was it a book, it was a kit. It contained a vial fairy dust (purple glitter), a bag of
dried flowers, a necklace with a pendant, and a book. The book, which was beautifully illustrated, told about the different kinds of fairies, their habits, and instructions on how to create a fairy circle.

After studying how it needed to be done, Sorcha asked if she could please go outside and make a fairy circle. I can still remember feeling overwhelming love for her as she quietly sat in the grass behind our apartment and with concentration not usually found in one so young, she carefully followed the instructions on how to create a fairy circle. I stayed back, not wanting to interrupt or break the spell. I could hear her sweet voice on the wind and watched as she carefully sprinkled the glitter and the flowers. She didn't have to tell me because I could see it in her face. She truly believed in fairies.

About a week later, there it was. In the spot where Sorcha had spoken the words from the Book of Faeries, was a ring of mushrooms, a fairy circle. I've no explanation for it. Yes, perhaps it's just coincidence and maybe I'd agree if I'd see mushrooms out back before then, but I hadn't. Sorcha was amazed at what had happened and there was no doubt in her mind that she had created that fairy circle. She knew that she had created a way home for any stranded fairies.

When I was a little girl, I believed fairies lived in my wall. I had many troubled years when I was small, and those fairies helped me more than I can explain. Their home, their beauty, their kindness was my safe space. I too, believed.

This song is for that little girl who found sanctuary with the fairies. This song is for Sorcha who was never afraid to believe in the magic of fairies.

This song is for all of us who believe.

Til next time,
Cin