The first time I saw my mom defend me was about faeries. I knew my parents had their arguments -- everyone does. However, mom had never argued with dad in front of me, defending something I believed in. I can't describe the feeling this gave me.

Dad had been listening when I told mom about some of the things I had done to encourage my children to believe in faeries. He became agitated and asked why I would want my kids to believe such garbage. Mom got angry. She said that people who don't have any magic in their lives commit suicide because they can't imagine a better way of life. They have nothing to cushion their hurts. When these people exerience hard times, the times are hard because they can't see the faeries tending flowers or playing on rainbows. This gave me something to think about. I hadn't even thought of this aspect. I was just having fun!

Consider the tooth faerie. I always knew there was a tooth faerie -- my mother had told me so. I told my children so. In fact, I went so far as to make little footprints on the wall and the windowsill. I also sprinkled 'faerie dust' in a path from the window to my daughter's bed the night I first put on my 'tooth faerie cap'. I had to try to do this with one hand most of the time, because I had one hand clamped over my mouth. I got the giggles and couldn't risk waking my girl. I've had a lot of fun over that one!

Another time, we were walking, my children and I, enjoying life. We found a tiny shoe sole. Both kids thought right away that it had to be a doll's shoe. But it seemed to be the kind of sole found on most men's dress shoes, so I knew better. Well, anyway, my sense of fun took over.

"It's a pixie's shoe!" I exclaimed. My darling children were aghast. Here was their mother -- usually serious and mostly mean -- freaking out about a stupid doll's shoe.

My 5 year old son said scathingly, "What do you mean a pixie shoe -- why not a faerie shoe?" My child is smart, but he wasn't thinking.

"Faeries have to wear very light shoes, like ballerinas wear. They fly and they can't have heavy shoes on their little feet. Pixies don't fly, so they need sturdy shoes." I returned mischievously. I didn't care anymore that there really are no such things as faeries, I was excited! Imagine! A REAL pixie shoe!

You know? A light began to glow in my babies' eyes. We discussed this shoe for days. Yes -- we brought it home with us. Carefully, of course, because it might have had some magic in it. There was magic in that shoe, by the way. Several times over the years, as my children grew, we discussed that shoe and the magic it brought us.

I have seen 'faerie diamonds'. In February or March, '88, my children, my sweetie and I went to Port Alberni for the day. There was nothing special about the weather -- cloudy as usual, and chilly as usual. As we drove around a bend in the road, the trees were all hung with faerie diamonds! What a spectacular sight! The bare trees were glittering and sparkling and the sight of those beautiful diamonds made the whole day more exciting!

I've seen a 'tree of gold'! Right here in Nanaimo! I was visiting my mom this particular day in mid October. I happened to look out her window and I saw it! It was a poplar tree. Some 'little people' had washed their gold and hung all the coins out to dry. At least this is what I think happened. The tree was so beautiful!

I have so much fun because of faeries and magic things. How can anyone not enjoy a TRIPLE rainbow? You KNOW all the faeries are having great fun playing on THAT one! Think of the gold! There would be six pots of it!

With so many heart-rending things going on in the world today, we'd all be a little happier allowing some magic to slip into our lives. Teach your children about faeries. If you don't have children, teach somebody else's! You'll feel silly at first, but the magic will hit you at some time when you least expect it and you'll find you are really enjoying yourself. It doesn't cost anything, there are no commercials, and best of all, whatever you say will be right! That is -- as long as it is positive ...