Latest Headlines

Random Acts of Comedy in Thousand Oaks ( Kamaka Brown )

1,160 Elementary Students Receive New Clothes ( Carol Karm )

Book an Artful Prayer Workshop to Make Books ( Lynne Farrow )

Learn to swim in 2008 ( Melia Parchman )

share stories | more stories »

YourHub.com \\ Ventura \\ Stories \\ Posting is no longer available. \\ General Milestones

The Importance of a Fairy Godmother

On 5/19/2007

e-mail to a friend | print this | link to this

NEXT › ‹ PREVIOUS

Contributed by: Dale Ecker-Gordon on 5/29/2007

When I was a little girl, like most, I dreamt of being a princess. I personally wanted to be a ballerina princess in a pink and white tutu. I was five and my family had a trophy store next to a ballet studio. I would sneak over and watch the pretty ballet dancers as they practiced. I didn't dare ask to join the class. I knew classes cost money and our family was struggling as it was. I was jealous watching, but a practical child for five. My family moved on and I never got those ballet classes.
As a teen, we lived in a series of rough neighborhoods in Las Vegas.I was not a tough kid. I couldn't even front, because red hair and freckles aren't tough quaulities. On the way home from school one day, the meanest and prettiest bully in our hood decided to beat the #^%&*(%$ out of me. As she beat me and put my tooth through my upper lip she calmly explained my shortcomings. It was hard to concentrate on her lesson. When I got home all bloodied and terrified my father was understandably upset. He had a hot temper and a voracious family loyalty. He decided my attackers parents would pay for my injuries, but also suffer his rath. He rallied my three older brothers and headed out across the apartment complex.
As he and my family posse arrived, my attacker, I now know as Galen, tried to head them off. She was no match. My family stormed in to their home. The father of the family, I am sure a proud man, turned toward the door. He was propped up on their sofa. He attempted to move and lurched from the couch. His legs were missing and he flopped to the floor. My father and brothers stopped, but were still angry. The man was defensive, but confused. His "pretty', but monsterous daughter attempted to explain why a group of angry men and a bleeding girl were at their door.
Realization and pain took over her father's expression. His daughter was an out of control bully and this was the result. She picked on the wrong kid.
With as much control as my Dad could muster he outlined the charges he would be filing in lieu of the retaliation he had come for. I think he saw a father in the same poor situation we were in except he had no legs.
Galen actually apologized to me, but I still have a scar on my face. She acted like my protector and friend after that, but I never trusted her again. Life moved on, my mother's cancer came back and we moved to Buffalo. I swore that no young women should endure this kind of life. A lofty goal,I know.
My mother had another remmission of her lymphoma and we returned to Las Vegas. My Dad got a job and I went on to work my way through modeling school. I went on to a modeling and teaching carreer.
I was instructor, stylistand choreographer for a prestigous agency at age sixteen. I was called in one day to look at potentiel models by my agency director. I was pretty savy in the business and my opinion was valued. The room was full of aspiring girls my age and older. I loved working with the girls and my whole philosophy was encouragement and empowerment in a very shallow industry. As I met the girls I realized that one of them already knew me, it was Galen.
My heart beat faster, I felt her punching me, humiliating me all over again. I gathered every bit of confidence and poise I had learned. She would not beat me down again. I offered my hand, introduced myself, and told her how lovely I thought she was. I had her walk for me on the runway and I evaluated her picture. With all I had I gave an honest evaluation. She no longer was ready to beat me, she needed me. I told hershe could be a model...some day...with training. There was potentiel. It felt so good to give her something she couldn't give herself.
I went on to the next model and I could feel her watching me. We both knew whatI could have said, whatI could have done.
I count her as my first "Fairy Godmother" moment. Noone needed one more than Galen.
I turned that corner and never looked back. I can count hundreds of Galens that have taught and mentored since. My students have confidently participated in fashion shows, photo sessions and pageants. I have placed students with top agencies and followed their success. Galen had more impact than she knew, including how I would be a mother to my daughter.
I know the importance of a mother, mine was amazing. She couldn't give me the ballet classes, but she gave me the courage to dance through life. My goal as a mother, teacher and mentor is to give all girls the strength to own their power and stand tall. No one has the right to beat you down.
May 19, 2007 my beautiful daughter and her handsom prince embarked upon their senior prom. She in flowing white, he in tie and tails. I brought her glass slipppers and he a rose corsage. A magical evening followed and a promise ring he presented at their dinner,in front of all their friends.
I was able to witness the result of the good works of a "Fairy Godmother". This time it was me.
I hope you are well Galen. I hope someone was your "Fairy Godmother" and I hope you are one for someone else.
These are the photos from my "Princess" and her Prince's magical evening.

[Report this as objectionable content.]

SUBMIT COMMENT

Rate the above story

Talk Back : submit comments to the story

*Note: you need to log-in to add a comment or rating.

Thank you! Your comment has been updated.

CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Dale Ecker-Gordon

Ventura , CA

Dale Ecker-Gordon has posted 3 stories and 3 comments since joining on 2/19/2007. Dale Ecker-Gordon 's average story rating is 4.

view profile » view other postings from Dale Ecker-Gordon »

Loading Ad

Story

Dale Ecker-Gordon