I took inventory of Saskia's beliefs recently. I asked her to answer 'real' or 'not real' to various characters and she enthusiastically complied.
"Santa?" I suggested.
"Not real!" Said with seven-year-old pride.
"Easter bunny?"
"Not real!"
"Jesus?"
"Real."
"Tooth fairy?"
"Not real." (A surprise to me, this was followed by a brief discussion to identify my underminer. Pete.)
"Monsters?"
"Not real."
"Giant whales in the sea?"
"Real." (What about dolphins, interjected Leif. Are they real?)
"Fairies?"
"Not real." Said regretfully.
"Angels?"
"Real." In a soft voice, utterly convinced.
"Devils?"
"Not real." Said with equal conviction, laughing at the ridiculousness of the idea. "Let's do more!" she urged.
But I was too moved by the last two answers to continue.
A seven year old that knows-a sign of good parents.
Posted by: Anna R | Monday, May 04, 2009 at 08:41 AM
When I was her age I put at least as much stock into devils as angels. Probably more.
It strikes me as asymmetrical to accept one and not the other, but I'm happy that she's convinced the world is far more good than bad.
Wish I could giggle at the idea of devilry.
Posted by: FreshMD | Monday, May 04, 2009 at 04:16 PM
I wish fairies were real. At nearly 35, I don't see any sign of me outgrowing that wish. But knowing that my dad was our tooth fairy is a pretty sweet memory, so maybe the reality makes up for them not being real. But I'm glad angels are real. Truth be told, I suspect my baby son sees them.
This blog is one of my very favorites to visit. Thanks for making Canada feel more like home for this transplant.
Posted by: Sara/Inkling | Monday, May 04, 2009 at 09:50 PM
Maybe she equates devils with monsters?
Have you discussed further and asked why angels are real?
Just curious.
Posted by: celeste allyn | Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 09:34 AM
Don't know if I told you before but when my brother and I were young, we were convinced we both saw the Easter bunny standing in our hallway.
Does this effect our friendship?
I am also with Sara on the fairies.
Posted by: celeste allyn | Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 09:36 AM
@celeste - I didn't discuss further. I'll probe a bit more one of these days. Hey, was that Easter Bunny about six feet tall and roughly the same build as your dad?
Posted by: FreshMD | Wednesday, May 06, 2009 at 10:55 AM
I suppose I can tell you this tonight but actually no, he was about the size of a fairy.
:-)
Posted by: celeste allyn | Wednesday, May 06, 2009 at 11:18 AM