02 March 2012
A story shared between a father and a daughter. A story for the past. For the present. And for the future. As a young girl he read The Magic Faraway Tree stories to me at bedtime. As a mother I hope to share these with my own children. But first I want to reshare them with my father.
After almost 20 years, on 04 January 2012 we entered the Enchanted Wood together. Hand in hand with Jo, Bessie and Fanny our adventure was about to begin. To start with I read many chapters every night; to enjoy the journey, and to spend quality time. As the weeks and months went on I slowed down. Afraid to go beyond a chapter per night. If the book ends, so does our journey and our adventure.
"There is no link between the book and the situation," the counsellor told me. Don't be afraid to finish the book. Don't fear The End.
We had been to many lands together; the land of birthdays, the land of Dame Slap, the land of topsy turvy. We had met many queer folk along the way. We were coming towards The End.
On Friday 02 March 2012 at 4pm I began to read. Seven chapters to go. I would reach The End. If I didn't reach it, would I ever be able to? After two months of gay adventures, on our final day the book began to mirror life. The tree is dying. But I must finish the book. I read on, praying that he was listening. I made it through the final page, after five difficult chapters the tree was saved. But it was time to say goodbye. Goodbye Moonface. Goodbye Silky. Goodbye Saucepan Man.
A few hours passed before the hardest goodbye. A goodbye I never wanted. A goodbye I couldn't say; instead, "I love you"
I lowered his bedroom lights; "Night night. Sleep tight. Stay safe. I love you daddy"
Coincidence or Connected? I know what I believe.
