Today I am fondly remembering my favourite author, Hans Christian Andersen, who was a Danish author. Although he has been the writer of plays, novels and poems, I remember him best as being the writer of many fairy tales. When I was a lot younger growing up in Jamaica with my adopted grandparents, there was a lady who was very close to my adopted family, who I had the privilege of calling, ‘Aunt Audrey’. If I spent a year and a day writing trying to explain how wonderful and important this lady was in my life, I just couldn’t say enough. I loved her as my Aunt and my great teacher in life. I could never forget her and her family if I tried. Her daughter Janie, a couple years older than I, to this day is considered one of my life sisters. Aunt Audrey introduced me to the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen. His writings of magical worlds, took me to a place of kindness, humour, affection and love. Some of his writings included; ‘The Ugly Duckling, The Little Mermaid, The Steadfast Tin Soldier and of course my favourite, Thumbelina’.
A few years ago, with thanks to the world coverage through the internet, I was able to obtain a CD with the stories and songs of Hans Christian Andersen, sung by famous American actor, Danny Kaye. It was the same songs with Danny Kaye, that my Aunt Audrey had at her home, only they were on an LP record, which I listened to, over and over again. Even when it was just my Aunt Audrey and I, as a young boy I wanted to go to her home, as much as my grandmother would take me. For Aunt Audreys place was a loving home, I was educated in many different life long topics and skills, I felt comfortable and I was safe. What more could a young child ask for. I will never forget her kindness and love.
I wish we had a world where everyone was protected as a child, introduced to good books of poetry and fairy tales, among others. I believe that fairy tales are important, to dream big out to the boundaries of the universe and beyond. Let the young minds of youth stretch up and down the distant roads, because one day, they will be taking the wheel. Along the way, I wish every home was happy and every child had a good support system growing up. Unfortunately, it’s not that way. Not only have I seen the total opposite in my years of being a Police Officer in Toronto, but prior to being adopted, lets just say, life wasn’t fair. But I made a deal with myself, later on in life, after College and after all of the efforts trying to find my birth parents. I made a deal with me that I wouldn’t harp and complain about the past, after being lucky enough in life to have people like my grandparents, Aunt Audrey, having my beautiful family and having some of the best friends that a guy could ask for. For every hurdle that has ever come along, I remember my deal. I remember some of my favourite stories by Hans Christian Andersen and Charles Dickens and I stick to my deal.
So today, again, like many days, I remember author Hans Christian Andersen and Thumbelina and The Little Mermaid and even the Ugly Duckling. For somewhere, out in this big confusing world, they all made a happy difference.
A deals, a deal.