Our Song for the Fifth Child | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: Please join me in welcoming Author Michele Rhem, who presents us with her poignant memoirs of the Rabbit Patch, where her diaries weave tales of a simpler, expressive life lost to many, but gathered together in her most familiar environs - the Rabbit Patch.

    The following story was written, not long after Christian was born-now twenty-five years ago. Do not let the term "fairy" fool you, for this is a true story. I was there and this is my account.

    Not long ago, there lived a mother, who had four little fairy children.

    One morning in March, a miracle happened- for this mother was given another.

    Her four fairy children searched through the land, for the finest things it did offer- Each wanted a gift, reflecting the love, they felt for new fairy brother.

    When each little fairy had finished their quest. they said to the child and their mother,

    "We come in thanksgiving, to celebrate life, and bearing gifts for our littlest brother."

    The first fairy was a boy child, whose spirit was fire the fire was the gift that he gave. . .and a strength without fear, he gave the small dear- so to run in the woods, and dance in June showers- may you ramble in woodlands in freedom for hours- stopping only to climb the tree, nearest the sun and to race with the deer, just for the fun.

    "Live well with this spirit of fire" he said, and it was then, that the new fairy smiled.

    The only girl fairy had eyes warm and enchanting, so that sunflowers grew, wherever she glanced. . . and and so that was the gift that she gave-

    "One must look to see beauty. so my gift to you, is a kindness in which to see the world through. May you gaze at creation, with patient eyes, not missing the splendor of winter night skies- nor whisper pink roses, nor emerald grasses- may you notice the grandeur of each day that passes."

    Again the little babe smiled.

    The next fairy brother, so carefully chose, the gift he intended for the child, that he loved. . .and that was the gift, that he gave.

    "May your reason, be just-and careful-and true, guided by the wisdom, of those before you. Might you take time to wonder, at all that you see, and then to imagine, what more there might be- always consider, what else there may be."

    Then, the new fairy child smiled, once again.

    The last fairy child nearly sang out his gift. His voice was a small one and filled with good cheer, and that was the gift that he gave.

    "I give to you happiness, I give to you glee! We will laugh together, you and me! Celebrate joy, as we do your birth- and may you enjoy a lifetime of mirth!"

    It was then the new fairy child giggled.

    The mother of these fairies, had thought long of a gift, as she wasn't a fairy as they. And now at long last, this mother of fairies knew just what she wanted to say.

    "The gifts you dear fairies, have bestowed on your brother are certainly some of the best, but I have a gift too,that I know in my heart, will be treasured as much as the rest."

    The mother then gathered all of her children, her eyes began to brim, and said-

    "The gift that I give to my youngest son, is the four little fairies before him."

    And then the new fairy child laughed . . .and the heavens joined in the laughter- and the mother of fairies,and all of her children to this day, live "happily after".