Just a thought… Where there is kindness, there is goodness and where there is goodness, there is magic. [Ella’s Mother, Cinderella (2015)]
I think we can all agree that there’s just not enough magic in the world once we’re past a certain age. Even for some children, sadly, there’s little or none when they’re living with food insecurity, illness, emotionally unhealthy family situations or the threat or aftermath of war or natural destruction.
But I’d like to think that, in a way, I helped add to a little boy’s sense of wonder right here on Pender Island yesterday, and that’s the story I’ll share with you here.
One of our new friends in this little spot of heaven has a grandson who we’ll call Owen. A fresh kindergarten graduate, he’s spending time with his grandparents here. One of my favourite pics of all time is one that Jennifer took of her grandson on a nearby marina playground at sunset about a month ago.
Jennifer and her husband make a point of keeping fairies and pixies in Owen’s life. They visit special forests here where little houses and tiny tree doors open imaginations young and young-at-heart. Jennifer makes a point of hiding notes and trinkets in random places that they “discover” while out exploring.
Yesterday I brought a tiny gift that a neighbour in our condo in Sidney made for us. It’s a sparkly little orca to hang in a window, and I immediately knew what to do with it.
While out on a trail walk yesterday, I hid it at the base of a bench with an arrow-shaped rock pointing towards it. I texted Jennifer with the name of the trail (not far from either of our houses) and then, not half an hour later, both grandmother and grandson paid us a visit to show us the orca, with Owen thanking me for telling him where there’d been a pixie surprise. (I told him we were on a walk and spotted it, but knew it couldn’t be for US, so we had to tell him instead!)
As we left the ornament in its secret place, I told Rob there’s just not enough magic in the world and if I can help to add to it a little bit, it gives me such joy.
I’ve no doubt the whole experience felt every bit as good for me as it did for them. As they left, I proceeded to scour the place for any more surprises I could hide in future. I don’t have any, but that doesn’t mean I won’t get some. How I miss our own grandkids! But we make and find our own joy where we can, right?
I don’t need to tell you what else raises our spirits these days (not you, Blue Jays): Canada advancing in the World Cup, the waning days of rainbow celebrations as Pride month wraps up and, of course, the incredible gift of living in Canada as the 1st of July approaches.
This year we’ll miss Sidney, BC’s terrific fireworks display on the 30th just out on the ocean behind our condos. Instead, tomorrow we’ll quietly mark my 7th year of sobriety with whatever cake we find in town today on Pender Island, and forego the crowds and celebrations on Canada Day. For us, just being here in the silence and counting our blessings, which number far more than 159, will suffice.
May your Canada Day be one of appreciation and a renewal of our national “Elbows Up” spirit, and hope for unity and bounty for all. Have an amazing week, and I’ll be with Lisa Brandt this Thursday for Episode 183 of our free podcast at gracefullyandfrankly.com.