Fairy Wren Moves On

Fairy Wren continued to thrive in her house at the base of the tree outside of Louis' house all last summer, through the fall and into winter. She would leave him polished rocks and other small gifts. In return, he (with the help of his parents) would leave an occasional note asking about life in the magical world of fairies. At Christmas time, they left a card with their family photo on it, and a dog fridge magnet they'd made.

Each time I dropped off a toy, or a note replying to their questions, I smiled as I imagined a small boy's delight when he found the gift.

Then I had a dream one night about Puff the Magic Dragon. I've always loved the song; can't remember a time when I didn't know it. I woke singing the sad part of the song - "A dragon lives forever, but not so little boys", and I knew it was time for Fairy Wren to think about moving away.

Young Louis is five, soon to be six. Somewhere in there, logic begins to take hold as magic fades, and I wanted her to go while she was still real.

So, just after the turn of the year, I wrote one last note, telling Louis that Fairy Wren had gone to live with her friend Puff, in Honah Lee. She was going to play along Cherry Lane, where the two of them planned to enjoy sipping hot tea and reminiscing about the fun times they had playing with their human friends. 

I found a sun-catcher ornament showing a fairy contentedly walking in the woods, and gave it to them with my love.

I cried just a little as I dropped off the note and final gift. Fairy Wren didn't really want to go.

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Were I in Louis' parent's shoes, I'd have been dying of curiosity, so last week, I sent them a note via the boring US Postal service, 'fessing up to my part in the story. I offered to meet them for coffee or tea, but haven't heard back. Perhaps they didn't get the note, perhaps they have been busy, perhaps they prefer to leave the magic as magic. It doesn't matter. 

I got to be part of the magic, and the memory will bring smiles to my heart for a long time to come.

Good Is.