Angel in the Closet

Like most children, Cecilee had an active imagination. In a volatile family she found refuge in a fantasy world in her bedroom closet. In her closet was a perfect world full of beautiful landscapes and people who were kind and generous. There too lived her best friend, Angel. Angel was not just kind, but she could sing like the nightingale.

The fights that regularly broke out in Cecilee’s home were normally between her Father and her older sister. This week had been especially turbulent ending with her sister running away from home. Cecilee had hoped with the fuel gone, the fire would not light, but her Father seemed to be even more explosive. This night when he erupted, Cecilee felt the heat from his flame squarely on her cheek. She tried to run into Angel’s world, but when she got to the door, she realized the beautiful landscapes had been scorched and a dragon now blocked the entrance. Panicked, not knowing what to do; Cecilee heard a lyrical voice telling her to run. She turned and ran out of the house. She kept running until she was miles away and could no longer run. When she stopped to rest, she felt the cold of the night air. She slumped down next to a wall and tried to draw her bare feet under her to warm them. What now?

Cecilee’s mind was numb like the rest of her. As she searched her head for some plan for her future, she heard music faintly drifting along the winter breeze. With no other thought to direct her, Cecilee decided to follow the music. She followed the sound to a school playground and up into a wooden fort. Again she slumped against a wall and curled up into a ball. Exhausted she began to drift to sleep. As she drifted between sleep and consciousness, Cecilee saw her world change from the dark night to Angel’s beautiful world. The warmth of Angel’s world was inviting and warm, and Cecilee rested.

As the sun began to rise, Cecilee felt a nudge waking her. No plans had come to her in the night, but feeling strangely warm, she decided to go home. Tip toeing through the front door, fearful of the flames, she cautiously looked around. The house appeared normal, but then she heard music drifting through the air. She followed the sound into the dining room. There she saw Angel sitting at the table with her Father. They were talking, eating breakfast and upon seeing Cecilee, they said, “Good Morning” and invited her to sit and to eat.

After that night the fuel that ignited the fire seemed to disappear, and the flames just didn’t seem to spark anymore. The beautiful landscapes of Cecilee’s closet spilled out and covered the rest of her home. Her best friend Angel didn’t live in the closet anymore; she lived in her sister.

“Angel in the Closet” by Danika LaBrant, 2008 - Short Listed for the WOW Winter 2008 Flash Fiction Writing contest, http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/

Embracing the Middle Child

The first child, everything is new. The last child, you embrace the last chance for these experiences. The middle child, it is easy to just go through the motions.

Your middle child wants to be the center of your attention, but they may never tell you. It is up to you to open the door of communication. You may have to knock several times before the door is opened. Once the door is open, do not ask Yes/No questions. Stimulate conversation by asking about hobbies, friends, favorite movies, music, if they could go anywhere, do anything, if they had super powers…. And then listen.

To help you remember to have these moments, set up a routine perhaps at bed time where you sit one-on-one and talk and listen to each child. Ten minutes (30 minutes for all three children) will build trust and comfort which will be needed as your children grow and face more difficult issues. Talking, listening does not cost a thing, but the rewards are priceless.

Credit: Winner, Disney Family’s on-going “Comment Mania Contest”, http://family.go.com/comment-contest/ (November 2007)