encouragement.
Listening to her words, I closed my eyes and slowly began breathing in and
out. My grandmother's prayers came to my mind and I softly spoke them, “Air, I
ask you to clarify my thoughts. Fire, I ask you to burn away my fear and doubt.
Water, wash away my anger and sorrow. Earth, I ask you to ground me in the goodness around me and strengthen me. Spirit of the Goddess, I ask you to guide
me.”
A gust of elemental magic spun around me. I was cocooned in strong, warm
winds, swirling droplets of water, blades of grass, and embers of fire. An overwhelming sensation of being hugged by Gram washed over me. Tears of joy
filled my eyes.
Then, it was all gone.
My heart ached for the feeling to return, and I pleaded, "Send the magic back."
Looking around, I gasped in surprise. The chairs were empty. I was alone.
I had little time to drown in my sorrow before the room began to glow. I searched for the source of the illumination. I found the mirrors along the outer walls were radiating light.
"Everyone likes tea," a faint voice said.
I cocked my head and listened. There was a soft hum from the center mirror,
and I heard the voice again.
"Purple is my favorite color today."
“Meg,” I cried. It was undeniably my sister talking. I dropped to my knees and began tapping on the mirror. “Meg, I'm here. It's Mara!”
I realized she couldn’t hear me, so I sat back. I quietly watched, hoping for a clue as to where she was, and how I could save her. As I had seen hundreds of
times before, Meg was preparing a tea party for the stuffed animals. Her role was
the gracious hostess.
For this tea party, Meg was dressed in formal attire.
I bet she hates that outfit, I thought bitterly.
To confirm my suspicions, she tugged on the puffed sleeve of her lavender
tea dress and blew out a breath of hot air. This sent one of the large curls that framed her soft face up and then back into her eye. Grumbling to herself, Meg
stood beside the small, circular table occupied by stuffed animals dressed in the
same attire as her.
She picked up a teddy bear and tugged on the bow around his neck. "When
we have tea in my home, you won't have to wear this choky tie."
Kissing him sweetly on the head, Meg set the bear down and focused on the
bouquet of white roses in the center of the table. My little sister rearranged them
before she adjusted one of the cups and saucers. When everything met her
satisfaction, she turned her attention towards her guests.
“One lump or two?”
As her imaginary friends silently responded, she pretended to drop sugar
cubes into their cups.
“What a lovely dress you have on, Ms. Ellie.” Meg complimented a pink
elephant and served her several cookies.
“Mr. Ribbet, this does have the flies you requested,” she said seriously to a
green frog in a black suit.
