The Diary of Joy

The Aftermath

4. Joy, the year of the Phoenix

Dear Angel,

I told you yesterday a bit about what happened at the dance, but I need to share more. It will help you understand that although bad things happen, everything is not so bad.

When Echo and I were sitting on the tree, trying to enjoy the simple beauties of life instead of dwelling on our problems, I couldn't help but admire the way he dealt with everything.

Unlike me, he rarely got so upset by the behavior of others anymore, and even when he did, he quickly moved passed it. I can still remember the time when he was crushed by the comments of others. I needed to know what his secret was, so I just decided to ask.

"Echo, how come you are no longer bothered by what others say about you? I remember that you were upset as much as I am, maybe even more. What changed?" I asked.

"I changed. Suddenly, I could see that I was letting other people tell me who I am. I allowed them to make me sad.

I realized that if I love myself for who I am if I am happy then it doesn't matter what people who know nothing about me think.

The thing about adults is that they will always find something wrong with you, with each other, so it's better to stop trying to please them since it's impossible.

You and I are lucky that the larger part of our families are not like that. We should appreciate the fact that we always have someone to rely on and ignore the ones who wish us harm.

Still, I think your grandparents are trying, it's just been a very long time since they broke any social conventions, so it must be a challenge." Echo said.

"Yes, I guess you are right, but it's difficult not to get hurt when people look at you differently than others. When they think they have the right to talk bad things about you just because you are not the same as them.

I hope that you are right about my grandparents because it would be so nice to see my mother completely happy.

She won't admit it because she is afraid she might hurt our feelings, but there is an emptiness in her heart that only her parents' love can fulfill." I said.

"Yes, I think that's normal, and maybe soon enough, they will realize they feel the same emptiness and will come running to your family." Echo said.

"I hope so, too," I said.

After that, we just sat in comfortable silence, trying to forget about all the worries and just be, the way magical beings usually are.

It was very nice since we rarely got the chance to do that these days since we were busy with school and if I am being honest, festivities.

Maybe we should make it a rule to do something like this every day to relax after dealing with adults or children who don't know how powerful words can be. I guess it's understandable since their parents don't teach them to be careful about what they say to others.

Anyway, after that, Echo escorted me home, and I went to bed immediately.

Still, yesterday I told my parents about what happened. I felt I needed to, and it went better than expected.

I keep being frightened of their reactions, and they keep being the most understanding parents a child could wish for.

"Darling, it's understandable that you go angry, we all get angry sometimes. I can't say I am happy you talked with them that way, but I can't blame you.

Fairies should be kind and understanding, no matter what happened, and they have been none of those things for years.

I keep hoping that they will change, that they will finally see that we are all the same, and maybe they will, but for now they can be frustrating.

Maybe from now on, when they make you feel angry, you can just tell them you promised to meet me at that exact time and leave. Okay?" Mom asked.

"Okay, mom and I am sorry. It won't happen again." I said.

"I know it won't. You are my nice little fairy-elf, and those angry parents of mine will not change that." Mom said.

As she said that, she kissed my forehead and went outside to settle the argument that broke out between Chatterbox and Mischief.

"Wow, way to go, my little warrior!" Dad said the moment mom was out of earshot.

"I've been wanting to tell them off for years, but your mother is too nice to allow me to do that. Honestly, I feel like she tamed me too much.

Once upon a time, I was a rebel." Dad said.

"Ah, dad don't let mom hear you say that. You should be teaching me not to talk back to the adults." I said.

"I know, I know, but honestly some adults deserve to be put in their place.

We can't expect you, children, to respect us if we don't show you the basic decency.

I know that they are your grandparents, but they are so proud of their 'tradition' and 'culture' that they are ready to lose their daughter for it. They are no smarter than a slug." He said.

"Dad!" I yelled.

"I am sure that uncle Ymils wouldn't appreciate you talking like that about his species," I said appalled.

Uncle Ymils has been a family friend for a while now, and I was surprised dad would say something like that.

"Well, he is an exception. He is the smartest one among the bunch but let's be honest the rest of his family is not so bright." Dad said matter-of-factly.

That was true, but I still felt it wasn't a very nice thing to say. Still, I said nothing because I knew dad. He often said a lot of things he didn't mean, and that's how he often gets in trouble with mom, by saying something in front of us that wasn't nice.

Still, he had a point about some adults being undeserving of respect, but I was taught by my mother to always be kind, and I want to stand by that teaching no matter what. I didn't want to allow anyone to change me, to change what was a crucial part of who I am.

Dad can't understand that, but I love him immensely, especially because he is more prepared to support me than some other adults when he knows that I am right. Most parents believe strangers more than they do their children, and I am happy my parents aren't like that.

Anyway, I better get going, I think I can hear Mischief sneaking around, and if she finds you, she is sure to use you to cause me some mischief.

Love,

Joy