A Fairy Godmother

As a Life-Cycle Celebrant, I believe that every life has a story worth honoring. Sometimes, those stories are close to my own heart. In sharing them, I hope to show how ceremony and remembrance can capture the spirit of a loved one while offering comfort and connection to those left behind. In tribute to Patricia’s legacy of being a mother to orphaned children, I open with creative prose, then follow with a “soul sketch”.

Well, not everyone has a mother,

and, I am lucky to have had one.

Yet, some do not from circumstances unthinkable.

The blessing of a magical motherly figure,

to care, support and soothe,

is a gift that I refer to as a fairy godmother.

The fairy godmother that I know has gone through trials.

She is a perfect example of a strong woman,

who wants her “children” to thrive.

Like every mother,

she has cared too much,

loved too much,

worried a little too much

and, got hurt too much.

Yet, she shines through

and you can see the brilliant light.

Only she needs to hold in her heart,

your hurts and frustration.

For that great love will help you grow.

And, will make her proud.

She is not the mystical,

she is human with a glittering soul.

The unconditional love remains,

even after her passing to heaven,

with all her riches held close.

I am one of Patricia’s “kids.” Like the children she raised, I considered her my Aunt Pat, too! But, I do know she preferred to be called Patricia in public – much more elegant!

I was welcomed into her life as a teenager, and from that first Christmas Eve, she made me feel like family. That was Patricia’s way — her home and her heart were always open.

Aunt Pat and Uncle Dave, though they did not have children of their own, stepped in during a time of deep family need. With love, patience, and strength, they embraced raising children who needed a steady, nurturing presence. It was a huge undertaking for a young couple, but one they carried out with devotion and care. Over time, those children grew into adults who knew that Pat and Dave would always be a source of counsel, wisdom, and unconditional love.

I believe that the kids had a savior in their Aunt Pat, in that the glow of her care encapsulated them. Yes, she could be a bit too involved sometimes — perhaps her tragic flaw! But to me, it was always clear that her “meddling” came from a place of love, her greatest wish being for peace among her family.

Patricia was the oldest of three children, and from the start she carried herself with a sense of responsibility and grace. I had the pleasure of meeting her mother before she passed, and it was clear where Patricia’s gentle personality and beauty came from. In her youth she was a great beauty herself, and while working at Watt & Shand she caught the eye of Uncle Dave, the young delivery man who became the love of her life. Their romance lasted a lifetime, with a special winter love song that remained “theirs” until her last days.

I just loved being in Aunt Pat’s home! She kept a cozy, traditional country-styled house with candles aglow in each window, the smell of wonderful cooking in the air, and soft music playing in the background. She was always put together — matching earrings, a colorful scarf, her perfectly coiffed soft blonde curls. She had a sharp wit, a twinkle in her eye, and funny sayings like “sugar jets!” to replace curse words. She could laugh, counsel, and uplift all in the same conversation.

As she aged, her health challenges grew, but she chose her time of passing with dignity, surrounded by her family. That circle of love was always her greatest comfort and her greatest legacy.

It is hard to say goodbye to someone so significant in my life. I wear one of her scarves today, carrying her sparkle and unconditional love with me. She was a complete blessing, and I am forever grateful for her presence on this earth and that our paths crossed.