Believing in little miracles

​In our book, The Fish Story, the furnace broke down in the little white house on Digby Road during a very cold winter night. Little Honey and Angel cuddled in to keep warm but, in the morning, they discovered their big sister Cissy’s little goldfish appeared to have frozen to death. The three little sisters were devastated. Wanting to cheer up her children, Mommy placed the fishbowl in a warm oven. The entire family was surprised to find “Goldie” swimming happily in the bowl once it was removed from the oven.
 
This is a true story and my sister and I remember clearly the sense of astonishment and excitement we felt as little girls when the goldfish appeared to miraculously come back to life. We now know that goldfish can thrive in relatively cold water and will become dormant if the temperature of the water drops below 60 degrees for any period of time. But as children, our innocent view of life supported a sense of awe about the workings of the world and the miracles and magic that were an intricate part of that world.
 
As adults we often lose that sense of wonder as we seek to control our environment. Because of our experiences with pain and tragedies, over time we become more wary and fearful of negative outcomes. However, it’s possible to reconnect with our inner child and find the charm in every day life again. Rather than wait for the universe to provide us with external evidence of its marvels, we need to give ourselves permission to believe that life is magical, mysterious, and miraculous - and then those beliefs will reflect directly back to us.
 
A book I loved as a child was Tom’s Midnight Garden. In this book, a young boy, Tom, is sent from his home and family in order to quarantine him and keep him safe. He is lonely and depressed living with his aunt and uncle. But the garden he discovers and visits each night at midnight fills his need for friendship and mystery. Do you remember any books that you read as child that filled your heart with hope and a belief in magic? If so, feel free to comment below!