Keeping the Magic Alive

When the children were young they often wrote notes to the Tooth Fairy. The notes went into the envelope with the tooth/teeth and then placed under their pillow. I wasn't always sure what these notes would ask, but I always enjoyed writing responses because it opened my mind to creative storytelling avenues. The short notes kept me from getting long winded - or from takng it all too seriously - my greatest handicap as a writer.

Each note was from a new fairy (unless they wrote to an existing one). Some were nicer than others, some were funny and silly and some were blunt. Others were forgetful (just like a mother who forgets to check under the pillow before going to bed)!


I enjoyed making this page which will become part of my son's 21st birthday album. He took such delight in the world of fantasy which made it all the easier to enter into this correspondence with him.

I found what was probably our last exchange on the computer last week. The response was positive when I posted it to my facebook friends, so I am taking courage to share it here as well. Perhaps I will develop the fairy world we started years ago and write a children's story. It has always been a dream of mine to write and illustrate a children's book. Maybe this is where I should begin?

NOTE FROM A TOOTH FAIRY

Dear Austin,

I am sorry that you have had to wait so long to hear back from me. I wanted to write a good answer to all your questions so have had to do that at home on my computer. Yes, we fairies now have computers, although they are much smaller than yours.

My Colony as you call it, is actually called a Glenship. My glenship is named Waterfield. Waterfield has about 200 citizens but we are excited that twins are expected soon in the home of our wealthiest couple Max and Honey Million. They were married last year. My closest friends are Pixie and Myrtle. They are cousins but have different last names. Pixie is the daughter of Dryden and Spring Dustinhaus. Myrtle is the daughter of Elmer and Cherry Branch. Pixie and Myrtle both like to go swimming when it is not too cold. We like to race each other. I can hold my breath the longest, but they swim faster.

We are very peaceful and do not have any weapons. We can glow in the dark when we need to be seen, but if we are in danger our heart beat goes so quickly that it shuts off our light and keeps us safe from night predators. In the daytime we are very careful to stay hidden, which is not hard to do. If we are seen, we can fly very quickly and can burrow into the ground as well. It is rare that someone is killed. We live a long time - if we continue getting teeth. The teeth give us energy, but only for a few years. We don't eat them, rather we make things with them. Everybody makes something different and so we can trade or sell them. I make clocks with mine ... or at least I am learning how. My parents are clockmakers and are teaching me how to continue their tradition.

The ruler of Waterfield is called the Royal Dentine and his residence is called the Enamel Palace. The Royal Dentine is the leader of many glenships. He does not live at Waterfield. His name is Walter Nathaniel Izim Portant. He is very old but he seems kind. I have never met him, but my uncle did. He gave my uncle a cup made from the tooth of a teenager. This is very special because of their rarity and the energy level of these teeth is much higher. That cup sits on a velvet cloth under the clock in my uncle's hallway ... so everybody that visits is sure to see it and gain from its energy.

Our homes are made of mud and are partially underground, but in the summer we have temporary holiday homes in the trees where it is cool and breezy. We only eat once a a day and that meal is usually berries, nuts and leaves. We have a simple life, but the whole glenship is very excited about this computer.

I must stop now as there is a queue to use it and my time is up. I hope I answered all your questions. I hope you enjoy spending your money. Thank you for leaving your tooth for me, not many older children do and as you now know they are quite valuable to us.

I noticed you are writing a speech. I hope it goes well.

Your toothfairie friend,
Belle Chimes

The kit used on my layout is a freebie from Karina Designs called Life-Art-Love at After Five Designs.