Angelica Gains Her Wings

When you finally learn how to read and write, the feeling is exhilarating…no matter the age. There are people who are able to become successful while being illiterate. Those same people may finally learn at the ages of 50, 25, 37, or even 68, or never at all. But this account is not about them. It is about a little girl Angelica, who at the age of 7, gained confidence in her literacy skills. Her mom recommended becoming a pen pal to practice and strengthen her skills. She further suggested the nursing home Angelica’s grandmother used to live in. She had passed no less than a year ago and Angelica never got the opportunity to be her grandmother’s pen pal the way her mom had been with her grandmother. So the suggestion was welcomed with open writing fingers.

It took one afternoon for Angelica to complete her letter. It was accompanied by a Tinker Bell page from her favorite Disney coloring book, a dress up bracelet, and a heart shaped strawberry lollipop. The letter was mailed and Angelica eagerly waited. It took about two months for Angelica to receive a response from her new pen pal and how fitting for this high spirited, lively, imaginative young girl, to inherit and be appointed a Fairy Glamma. This first letter included an official Certificate of Appointment from the Fairy Association and a tiny pin of wings. The excitement that beamed off Angelica was engulfing and here began a profound relationship.

Each and every letter from Fairy Glamma was filled with glitter, sparkles, something shiny and always had the aroma of a field of flowers, freshly baked cookies, or fresh linen. Each paper was a different color with a subtle ethereal backdrop. Fairy Glamma’s handwriting were like dancing words that ice skated across the paper creating long, loopy letters. Her signature was mesmerizing. Her letters challenged Angelica’s vocabulary and tested her critical thinking. Angelica’s literacy progress was swift and keen which made her more eager to excel. Over the next couple years of exchanging letters, Angelica would become advanced in her verbal skills. Even though Angelica’s letters were usually short and to the point, they were funny, strong, full of imagination and overall happy.

“Today I conquered castles with my sidekick cat, Goober and fought off sea serpents during bath time.”

“Today I helped Mommy cook and she taught me about ingredients. Onions make you cry, but not because they are sad. We use them in our sofrito and that is Puerto Rican seasoning we make with different spices and vegetables.”

“I had a tea party with the Queen of Fairies today and made the cup cake recipe you sent me. I loved it please send more. I wear the tiara you sent me to make a good impression with the Queen. A princess chef sounds like fun to me!”

On Angelica’s 10th birthday, and 3 years after the start of her pen pal journey, she received her first box from Fairy Glamma. How ecstatic Angelica was and very impatient to open it. She ripped off the birthday paper, tore open the package flaps and began to reveal its’ contents. Her very own fairy dress with wings included. The dress was light pink that sparkled off reflected light. The top was quarter sleeve and had a fairy sitting on a tree on the chest area. The bottom was a layered tutu with triangular frills that made waves when Angelica spun around. The wings fit perfectly and flapped as she ran back and forth with excitement. In the box was also Angelica’s very own fairy stationary set. It came with everything Angelica needed to begin using to write to her Fairy Glamma. The last item in her birthday box was a small black notebook. The notebook had a very smooth feeling and smelled freshly made. Angelica wanted to open the book and skim the pages, but there was a ribbon wrapped around it with words that said “Open me in 7 days”. And Angelica did just that.

By her fourth waiting day, Angelica wrote her thank you letter to her Fairy Glamma. All she could say was thank you and she wrote the gratitude phrase at least 50 times on the page in every direction. This was the only contents of this letter…it was short and to the point.

The day was finally here; the 7th day. As soon as Angelica woke up she went straight to the little black book and began reading. It was a guide. A guide to if, one day, Angelica wanted to become a Fairy Glamma. The character traits one must possess, the responsibility it entails, and the blessing of its work. Angelica would treasure this little black notebook and hold onto it for many years. Angelica’s 10th birthday box and the small black notebook would be the last mailed correspondence she would receive from her Fairy Glamma and it wasn’t until three months later that this piece of information would reveal itself to Angelica and her mom. Angelica’s mom received a phone call from the nursing home asking her to visit because there were some documents that needed her review and signature. Angelica’s mom innocently assumed it was for something of her own mother’s, so with no questions asked, three days later she was at the nursing home.

Entrancingly, the documents in front of Angelica's mom's face was not that of her mother's. They were regarding a woman who's name she did not recognize at first, but after sitting in the office chair, repeating it over and over in her head, Stella Silverspoon, Stella Silverspoon, Stella Silverspoon, she had a memory. This was the woman who stayed three doors to the left from her mother four years ago. She was such a kind, to herself woman. The document Angelica's mom was holding a part of Stella's Last Will and Testament that named Angelica in it! The nursing home Director then began to explain what started four years ago when Angelica's first letter was received.

The nursing staff received the letter and thought Stella to be the perfect pen pal. Of course they were right! Stella was ecstatic to have something to do so she came up with the Fairy Glamma concept. The staff then helped her gather materials, make the certificates, and overall bring Fairy Glamma to life. Those three years were the most memorable for Stella as well as the nursing staff.

Nobody knew Stella revised her Last Will and Testament to add Angelica so it was a surprise to all. The biggest surprise is what was left to Angelica. Her mother asked the Director, more than once, if this was real. The answer was always yes. Angelica's mom read the paragraph again,

"To my dearest Angelica, this is the final exchange. These last three years of being your Fairy Glamma was more than magical and there is no number that can ever equal the immense fulfillment you provided to me. Continue to dream big and believe in yourself. Do not allow anyone to faint your confidence or self esteem, and just in case someone tries, my last gift to you is $20,000. I can only hope this will allow one of your dreams to come true.

With all my everlasting love,

Fairy Glamma Stella"

What more was there for Angelica's mom to say or do? So she finished up the paperwork and went on her way to tell Angelica the news.