Cinderella

The best girl I know.

Last Christmas, I saw a giant, electric decoration outside my hotel:

A horse drawn carriage made entirely of twinkling lights, posed mid-gallop in a fine circle. It was magical.

In that moment, I could almost see her: wearing a simple but elegant dress, dainty crown settled on her head, peaking out of the carriage window and waving at me.

Cinderella—my hero.

This is a letter to one of my favorite fairytale characters of all time.

Dear Cinderella.

You’re the best girl I know.

I believe I first saw you in the 1950s Disney technicolor-film. You woke up in a dreary attic with the sound of a rather frustrating clock in the air. I’ll never forget your words: “Oh, darn that clock, kill joy! Even he orders me around.” You soon began singing happily with your mice and bird friends, welcoming the start of a new day.

Mind you, my room was no attic—the walls were (and still are) far too bright. I’m guessing I was too young, at the time, and too hopelessly involved with thoughts of your lovely dress and glass slippers, to fully grasp your story. Still, it only took a little while—a little bit of getting older—to thoroughly understand the sentiment of the words you sang.

“…Have faith in your dreams and someday, your rainbow will come smiling through. No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true.”

As silly and irrelevant as it might have been to others, you had found a way to continue to dream the dreams in your heart, despite the endless cruelty of the world around you.

It has dawned on me, many times, that your story is also mine.

As I grew up, more and more versions of your journey popped up everywhere I went. It lit the TV screens and the YA and middle grade sections of my favorite bookstores.

It did not seem to matter what form you were in: 20th century girl with nothing but a cellphone and big dreams, blockbuster main lead fighting for her life against evil Sci-Fi forces, a comical fantasy character—down on her luck and thrust into an insane adventure; I could always find you.

And even though the world, at times, enjoyed mocking the early roots of your gentle persona—it was just as fascinated, with you and your story, as much as I was.

Over the years, I have been able to piece together the impossibilty of your situation. You had lost so much so young. You were alone in a home that wasn’t a home. And surrounded by hatred at every turn. Yet, somehow, you faced every day with joy. You held a determination to show compassion, no matter what.

There is a strength in you that gives me the courage to try, and the belief that something good will happen when I do.

Faith and Kindness—how well you’ve taught me, these wonderful ingredients of your quiet resistance.

You remind me to keep singing, to keep dreaming, and to live in my joy.

I am but a princess in my heart alone, and I haven’t a fairy godmother. You see, the magic in your world is so different from the magic in mine. Still, I believe there is someone looking out for me. That the universe will reveal hidden wonders to me, as I keep on down this path of dreams.

Today, in my mid twenties, I have never been more grateful for your existence. I often return to your story (especially the early animated versions of you!). I shed a few heart warming tears over your resilience, your humor, your open heart, and your well deserved happy ending.

If someone were to ask me, right this very minute: “Ana, who is your role model?” Cheesy I’ll be and mention you!

In every version of your story that I have seen, You have shown me that freedom begins in the mind; that the bright light of my soul can never be vanquished by darkness.

And so here I am, forever connecting the elements of your story to the elements of mine..

..That maybe one day I’ll be in a sparkly dress of my own making. Adorned with a crown of butterfly clips and stars, fairy wings fluttering at my back. And I’ll be in a carriage, much like yours—but this time pulled by magic pegasus, whisking me away to a pink, gliterring castle in the sky.

There, I will find hope and forever friends and true family: A life filled with every type of possibility.

So, Cindy old friend, from one magical girl to another:

Thank you for everything.

Forever and always,

Anastasia

xx