Below is a poem from “Wake Up Your Fairy Grandmother Within!: You’re Never Too Old to Be Young at Heart” by Jacqueline Thea, PhD:

In My Old Age

When I'm an old woman,

I shall put on fairy wings

And pick up my magic wand.

I will step into my power.

I shall spread the spark of joy,

I shall make your dreams come true,

I shall free the child within,

And I will sing,

"Fairy tales can come true

It can happen to you

If you're young at heart."

Hallelujah! I'll jump up and live again.

—Jacqueline Thea

It is said: “There is nothing as dangerous as an old woman on fire!” We have nothing to lose. Let me tell you the story about how my fairy grandmother set me on fire.

I believe we all have a spirit of joy that I call our fairy grandmother within waiting to wake up. She inspires us to believe: you’re never too old to be young at heart, it’s never too late to do what you love and to keep the joy of life alive.

In November 2018, my soul ached with grief from the loss of Prince, my beloved greyhound and long-time companion. I loved that dog! A few days before, I held his regal, but worn-out body as his spirit slowly crossed the Rainbow Bridge. His loss left a hole in my soul.

Then, just like magic, something wonderful happened. A fairy grandmother appeared to me in a vision waving her magic wand; she granted my true heart’s desire.

My grief began to melt. Joy filled the hole in my soul. Deep within, I felt the presence of my precious Prince. He returned home to live in my heart. My dark night of sorrow transformed into a new day. In my enchantment, I wanted to click my heels together and dance. I wanted the whole world to be happy.

Feeling inspired or maybe infired, I envisioned a new mission in my old age––I imagined myself dressing up as the fairy grandmother and sprinkling a little fairy dust around senior centers and retirement communities to make other senior folks like myself feel good. Woohoo! This old lady was ready to rock and roll.     

Where to begin? I wondered. How would the fairy grandmother introduce herself to the community? What would she say? What would people think? Could she suddenly appear at the door of a senior center or in the halls of a nursing home with her magic wand and say, "I'm here to spark joy and grant your heart's desire?" Some people might think her crazy or call the cops and lock her up.

An idea popped. Ah Ha! The fairy grandmother needed a hook! She couldn't just wander into this world alone; she needed companions with inspiring stories to tell. Since I had a Storyteller's License, I decided to write a book from my own life experiences! I would tell the story of Prince, my charming greyhound and his connection to the magical appearance of the fairy grandmother. A book would make me legitimate. People believe what they read.

These stories would be based on my own life experiences. We write what we know. I hoped that this charming collection of my little teaching stories would help readers remember their stories. Stories connect us. Stories tell of survival. Stories inspire us.

My book, “Wake Up Your Fairy Grandmother Within!: You’re Never Too Old to Be Young at Heart,” introduces the fairy grandmother and her companions, her gang of three: Prince, the charming greyhound, who crossed the Rainbow Bridge and returned to transform grief into joy; a hotshot, funny Dandelion Fairy who wanted to show off, always kept trying and learned hope triumphs over experience; and Little Sunshine, my wounded and sad soul-child, who hid in my heart and finally found healing. I knew their magical tales would touch many people, especially older women who suffered from loss, disappointment or depression.

This year I turned 87. While reviewing my life and remembering my stories, I discovered the enchanting gift of old age. The gift of old age allows enough time and enough water to wash under the bridge, to clear out the old psychological debris and wake up the spirit of joy that helps us to live out our lives in peace.

Wake up your fairy grandmother within, she wishes you to remember these three things: 

1. You’re never too old to be young at heart.

2. It’s never too late to do what you love.

3. Keep the joy of life alive!

Cheers!

For more information about Thea and her book, please visit: https://jacquelinethea.com/