The costumes are back.
Every store flaunts its array of color and sparkle and pouf.
So... I was in a store, walking behind a mom and daughter.
The daughter, about age 5, was frustrated, saying "But I want to be a fairy!"
The mom, equally addled, kept handing her daughter costumes. A Pink Princessy Fairy. A Yellow Fairy dress. A Tinkerbell.
"No, Mom! A REAL fairy!"
I watched as the mom became more and more confused and desperate. "These ARE fairy costumes, dear. These are very expensive, beautiful fairy costumes. Choose one, before I lose my patience. You said you wanted to be a fairy, so be a Disney fairy!"
The girl's face fell. Mom just didn't understand. Mom was practical, realistic. Unimaginative.
"I know what a real fairy looks like," I said, smiling knowingly to the mom, as I walked past.
They both looked at me in surprise. And a bit of hope.
"You do?"
"Yes I do. My daughter used to play with fairies. She taught me that Real Fairies don't come from stores. They wear leaves and flowers and vines. If you want a real fairy costume, what you need is a tattered green t-shirt and some weeping willow branches. And some dandelions and daisies."
The five year old cheered. "Yes! Yes! Yes Mommy! That's what I mean!"
The mother gratefully sighed. "Thank you. That is much more affordable."
I left the store, still smiling.
Disney is great and all, don't get me wrong. But look inside your own kids' imaginations.
That's where the Real Fairies live.
Every store flaunts its array of color and sparkle and pouf.
So... I was in a store, walking behind a mom and daughter.
The daughter, about age 5, was frustrated, saying "But I want to be a fairy!"
The mom, equally addled, kept handing her daughter costumes. A Pink Princessy Fairy. A Yellow Fairy dress. A Tinkerbell.
"No, Mom! A REAL fairy!"
I watched as the mom became more and more confused and desperate. "These ARE fairy costumes, dear. These are very expensive, beautiful fairy costumes. Choose one, before I lose my patience. You said you wanted to be a fairy, so be a Disney fairy!"
The girl's face fell. Mom just didn't understand. Mom was practical, realistic. Unimaginative.
"I know what a real fairy looks like," I said, smiling knowingly to the mom, as I walked past.
They both looked at me in surprise. And a bit of hope.
"You do?"
"Yes I do. My daughter used to play with fairies. She taught me that Real Fairies don't come from stores. They wear leaves and flowers and vines. If you want a real fairy costume, what you need is a tattered green t-shirt and some weeping willow branches. And some dandelions and daisies."
The five year old cheered. "Yes! Yes! Yes Mommy! That's what I mean!"
The mother gratefully sighed. "Thank you. That is much more affordable."
I left the store, still smiling.
Disney is great and all, don't get me wrong. But look inside your own kids' imaginations.
That's where the Real Fairies live.
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