Believing in the Fairy Godmother: A Journey of Resilience and Hope

From a young age, many of us hold on to the idea that there might be a magical figure watching over us, eagerly waiting to swoop in and change our lives for the better. For me, I truly believed in the concept of a fairy godmother, a mysterious and benevolent presence that would intervene when all seemed lost. However, this journey of belief and hope eventually led to a profound understanding of personal resilience and self-reliance.

From Chaos to Belief

My childhood was far from ordinary. My mother, who suffered from various mental and emotional challenges, created an unpredictable and sometimes terrifying environment around me. My father, searching for solace from the chaos, spent much of his time away from home, often found in his newspaper and a bottle of Scotch, trying to escape the turmoil. While my life lacked the typically plotted villainous figures often seen in fairy tales, the instability felt akin to a wicked stepmother or step-sisters in the story of Cinderella.

The Rapidly Cycling Moods

My mother’s moods were as unpredictable as the weather, cycling on an hourly basis. These mood swings made it difficult, if not impossible, to know the person I would encounter from one moment to the next. In the dining room, with no place to run, I learned to curl into a fetal position in an attempt to block out the pain and fear.

A Belief in the Unseen

When I was a little girl, I received a book about Cinderella from my favorite aunt, Mary Ellen. This moment sparked a belief that somewhere, someone was watching over me, just waiting to change my life. Inspired by the Rhodopis story, I waited patiently for my fairy godmother to arrive. Eventually, I rationalized that my fairy godmother was my deceased grandmother, Mary, who couldn’t possibly abandon her 'wicked step-daughter.'

Turning Adversity into Empowerment

At the tender age of 15, I ran away, choosing to believe that I had taken control of my life. Struggling as a homeless teenager, I felt a sense of liberation, as if breathing in and out was an act of empowerment. Though my high school experience was not ideal, I managed to find moments to excel and grow, eventually earning my college degree.

It was during my college years, as I navigated my academic life and experienced the kindness of several individuals, that I began to see these people as standing in for my lost fairy godmother. Their acts of kindness were my own enchanted moments, a reminder that magic and hope could still exist, even in the most unlikely places.

Embracing the Ordinary

Since then, I've come to understand that becoming my own fairy godmother meant learning to trust myself and harness the power of my own mind and actions. As a young woman, I cherished the gifts I gave to my great niece, including glass slippers, starry tiaras, and magical wands. Witnessing her joy was a testament to the enduring magic and the belief in oneself. Though I no longer hold out for a fairy godmother to intervene, the belief in magic and the power of the human spirit remains.

Final Thoughts

So, while my belief in a fairy godmother was once the beacon of hope in a world full of challenges, it has ultimately led to a deeper understanding of resilience and self-reliance. Believing is powerful, and sometimes, the magic we seek lies within ourselves, rather than in an external force.

Best wishes to all on embarking on your own journeys toward growth and understanding.