Zipadeedoodah

When I was in high school, a friend’s brother said I reminded him of a Disney character. I remember quietly shrugging it off with an aw-shucks blush all the while wondering exactly what he meant. Was it my squeaky speaking voice? My admittedly naïve nature? He expounded on the thought by saying he suspected birds flew in my window to help me get dressed every morning. Huh?

Now wait just a minute, buddy, I remember thinking. I may have seemed all sweetness and light on the outside, but I had a dark side! I could be deep and tortured! I’d logged enough hours on Dr. K’s couch to prove that much, hadn’t I? How dare he suggest my life was a fairy tale?

It's funny that more than a decade later, I’m starting to think he was onto something. After seven years of waking up next to my very own Prince Charming (I know; that metaphor kinda makes me wanna gag too, but it seems somehow appropriate), it’s hard to remember what was so bad about the Disney character comparison. These days, I’m not at all concerned with how much (or how little) I relate to Ani Difranco’s latest album. In fact, I’m more than happy to live out my own personal fairy tale.

Now, I don’t want to push my luck – I’m knocking on wood as I write this – but lately, life really does feel like a fairy tale. Everything just seems to be falling into place. It’s almost going too well, you know? Roger and I have miraculously moved our little family from Joburg to Atlanta with relatively little drama. In the span of about three weeks we’ve managed to buy a car, lease an apartment, agree on a couch, find jobs…that’s right, Roger went back to work with his former company a few weeks ago, and me, I’ll be starting my new job as a full-time copywriter tomorrow. Can you believe it? I’m still pinching myself. To find any job in this crappy economy is a blessing, but to find something in my field and with such a great company…well, I’m convinced there really is a bluebird on my shoulder…or an angel or…well, you get my point.

Anyway, I guess I shouldn’t go on and on about my good luck when so many others are struggling, but while I don’t want to flaunt my good fortune, I do think it’s important to acknowledge it. To be thankful. To be aware of the moments that feel like a fairy tale. Because when my dream job is stressing me out and I’m worried about the car payment and the bathroom is dirty and my perfect husband has forgotten to put the laundry in the dryer yet again...well, life can feel more like a bad Lifetime movie than a magical fairy tale. But at this particular moment, right now, it’s all fairy tale.

So this is me, counting my blessings. Thanking my lucky stars and God above for this little moment of happily ever after.