No Fairy Tales...???

This weekend, JUJU GIRL, KC GIRL and I took a group of 17 young girls to a cheerleading competition in Orlando, FL. The two groups of cheerleaders qualified to participate in the Nationals Cheer Competition and we could not have been more proud. This is only the second year that our organization has been in existence, so its a great sign of things to come as we expand and heighten the skill levels for the girls.

I have the wonderful opportunity of being responsible for our "little girl team" which consists of 7 to 9 year olds. I affectionately refer to them as my babies all the time as well. One of the highlights of our trip was being able to take them to Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom while we were in town. It was especially profound being that Disney has just released The Princess and The Frog and my group of African American young cheerleaders were able to see this gorgeous reflection of themselves up close and in person. It was so cute and heartwarming when one of my babies looked up to me and said, "Coach PARTY GIRL, I am about to faint. I LOVE PRINCESS TIANA !!! And I got a chance to see her ??? This was the BEST day of my life."

Along with riding plenty of rides, eating funnel cake, buying Mouse ears and such, we were able to catch the entire Mickey Mouse and Princess show at the Magic Castle as we were leaving. It is amazing how, as an adult, I am now able to fully understand and process the subliminal messages that are presented during these moments of entertainment that are just meant for children. When I visited Magic Kingdom as a child, I just marveled at all of the lights, colors and beloved characters from the cartoons and movies. That's all I wanted out of it.

However, listening to Mickey and Minnie now at the age of 32 telling this group of children about these magical places, fairy tales, making your dreams come true, finding your Prince/Princess, living happily ever after, etc. I thought to myself, "This damn mouse is selling dreams !" There is no magical place where all of your dreams just come true when you wish upon a star. You don't just kiss a frog and he turns into a Prince with a trust fund, good manners, good looks, sanity and good loving. Who lives happily ever after ? All of my married friends fuss and fight, and most of my friends who have been married are now divorced !

Anita Baker even wrote and sang "No Fairy Tales", a song whose words would not ring tunes of familiarity until I became an adult. "You never came to save me, you let me stand alone. Out in this wilderness, alone in the cold. I found no magic potion, no horse with wings to fly. I found a poison apple. My destiny to die. No royal kiss could save me. No magic spell to spin. My fantasy is over, my life must now begin. My story ends, as stories do. Reality sets into view. No longer living life in paradise. No fairy tales."

Does anybody else have a problem with this friggin mouse and all of his propaganda and lies ? Is it safe to set these kids up for failure believing this stuff ?

As I had one of the 7 year olds propped up on my shoulder, while holding on to an 8 year old to make sure she didn't run off, I honestly attempted to apply Mickey's motivational sentiments to my life, both past and present. I mean, I still consider myself blessed despite several set backs this year and in life in general, but come on Mickey....how can you and your duck, dog, fairy and princess friends keep a delusional attitude like this ? NOBODY keeps a smile on their face like that Mickey...all day ? Well, maybe SUNSHINE GIRL.

Anywho, midway through the performance I found myself chanting along with the children. Maybe that is my problem. I have become stagnant in sustaining some of my dreams. I may not have wished upon a star, but I have definitely prayed to my God, and exercised patience. Have I let this extended period of time waiting for my blessings thwart my Mickey - esque optimism ? "DREAMS COME TRUE....DREAMS COME TRUE...DREAMS COME TRUE" Yep, I was right there, chanting those three magical words with two of my babies and a slew of strangers who just may be in the same transitional phase as I am in, wishing upon the same magical star again as we did in our youth, trying to capture the same optimism that once existed in our bright eyed and bushy tailed upbringing.

Mickey may be on to something after all...