What’s INSIDE
Caleigh Rae Harris, age 2,
Farm. She is the daughter of Rayniceia and Christopher Harris of Columbus. photos by Eliza Daffin Photography
PARENT to Parent
Mirror, mirror on the wall, I hope there’s no faux fall. Alas, not all wishes can come true. Talk of a cold front had me opening the drawers containing my sweaters and pulling out my boots. The first ‘unusual’ cooler temperatures that headed our way recently had me getting ahead of myself. While looking for a fall theme for our cover, the sunflowers and fall vegetable plantings at the MercyMed Farm on Second Avenue captured my attention. It was the perfect setting for our photoshoot with Caleigh Rae who is one of our Fresh Faces Contest winners. The morning temperatures were rising quickly as we tried to keep up with a two-year-old who was enjoying exploring the wide-open space, picking flowers and getting up close with the bees who were busy pollinating. We all had a lot of fun, and we are grateful to Keith Sims and his crew for allowing us to spend time at the urban farm in the middle of our city.
Here in the South, we bring on fall even if our climate isn’t quite of the same mindset. Pumpkin patches, mop head mums and football season is upon us. This issue is about making the most of the season. We have a jam-packed Family Fun Calendar to fill your days. Our features cover getting crafty with pumpkins to beginning a new tradition with Friendsgiving at Thanksgiving. Not to be spooked, read about the good witches who will gather on their wheels in Midtown on October 26th for their annual fundraiser.
On the inside cover, you will find details of how to enter our Great Day Giveaway for a chance to win four infield tickets and a parking pass to this year’s Steeplechase at Callaway! Good luck to all who enter. I hope to see you there in my boots and a sweater—there’s hope as it will be held on November 15 and surely, by then, it will actually feel like fall. Enjoy the season, get outside!
Jodi Saunders
P. O. Box 229
Columbus, GA 31902
706-324-6214 • fax 706-324-6216
EDITOR/PUBLISHER
Jodi Saunders
jodi@columbusandthevalley.com
ADVERTISING & MARKETING
Becky Kenimer
Advertising Account Executive becky@columbusandthevalley.com
Margie Richardson Advertising Account Executive margie@columbusandthevalley.com
Julie Lauzon
Sales & Marketing Manager
salesassistant@columbusandthevalley.com
LAYOUT & DESIGN
Rebecca DeLoach 62GraphicStudio.com
WRITERS
Natalie Downey Dr. Britney Farmer
Khristina Gallagher
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Brett Buckner Pam Molnar
PHOTOGRAPHY
Eliza Daffin Photography ElizaDaffin.com
of Columbus and the Valley
Family Fun CALENDAR
WEDNESDAYS
Story Time with Grammy Trish Columbus Bound Bookshop ColumbusBound.com
WEEKENDS UNTIL NOV. 1
Pumpkins at Callaway Callaway Gardens CallawayGardens.com
THROUGH NOV. 21
Uptown Scarecrow Trail
Broadway AlwaysUptown.com/scarecrow-trail-1
October
3-5
Oktoberfest
German Food & Gifts GermanFoodGiftAndMore.com
SATURDAYS IN OCTOBER
Market Days on Broadway Uptown Columbus AlwaysUptown.com
18
COMU Fall Festival
Columbus Museum COMUGa.com
18
Screen on the Green Showing of Hocus Pocus
TSYS Green Space
AlwaysUptown.com/screen-on-the-green
25
Columbus Parks and Rec Spooktacular Lakebottom Park Parks.ColumbusGa.gov
25 Hero for a Day Columbus Trade Center ColumbusTradeCenter.com
25 Uptown’s Spooktacular Broadway AlwaysUptown.com 26
BOOtanical 2025
Columbus Botanical Garden
ColumbusBotanicalGarden.org/bootanical
Fall Festival Standing Boy Trails StandingBoy.org
Ada Twist, Scientist & Friends RiverCenter RiverCenter.org
Music Under the Dome: Science Under Shared Space Coca-Cola Space Science Center CCSSC.org/events
8, 9, 15, 16
The Leaves Are Falling Springer Opera House SpringerOperaHouse.org
14-JAN. 4
Fantasy in Lights Callaway Gardens CallawayGardens.com 15
Kids Quilting Workshop Columbus Museum COMUGa.com 15
Steeplechase at Callaway Pine Mountain SteeplechaseAtCallaeay.com 15
Mercer School of Medicine
Teddy Bear Clinic
South Columbus Public Library cvl.libnet.info/event/13922459
29-DEC. 21
Disney’s Frozen: The Broadway Musical Springer Opera House SpringerOperaHouse.org
Submit your upcoming event online at columbusandthevalley.com/valley-parent-magazine-event-submissions
Book NOOK
AGES 3-7
Humpty’s
Great Fall
by Amy Moore
This book is a clever, cozy twist on the classic rhyme. Humpty Dumpty explores autumn’s delights—apple picking, leaf raking and cider sipping—while dodging his expected tumble. With playful wordplay and familiar nursery rhyme friends, this charming tale celebrates seasonal joy and the surprises of self-discovery.
AGES 3-7
Grizelda the Green Hates Halloween
by A. A. Livingston
A grumpy green witch is fed up with Halloween and hatches a plan to end it forever. However, mischievous trick-or-treaters, unexpected magic and a dash of spooky fun might just change her mind. This playful, rhyming tale celebrates holiday mischief, transformation and the joy of embracing what makes each season special.
AGES 6-9
by Khristina Gallagher
AGES 9-12
Witchy Cakes Book 1: Sweet Magic
by Kara Lareau
In a magical bakery filled with sweet surprises, a young witch-in-training named Blue learns that baking is more than mixing ingredients—it’s about heart, courage and a sprinkle of magic. With vibrant illustrations and cozy charm, this enchanting chapter book whisks readers into a world of friendship, discovery and delicious adventure.
The Weirdies
by Michael Buckley
Three eccentric triplets—Barnacle, Melancholy and Garlic—are abandoned by their bizarre parents and sent to a peculiar orphanage. Chaos follows as they clash with picture-perfect neighbors and uncover what family truly means. Packed with macabre humor, quirky characters and heartfelt moments, this tale celebrates the wonderfully weird in all of us.
by Pam Molnar
Start a New Tradition HOST A KID FRIENDSGIVING PARTY
Thanksgiving has always been an adult holiday to me. There are no gifts to open, no special characters to represent the holiday like Christmas or Easter, and the whole holiday is focused around one large meal. To make matters worse, most of the time the kids have their own table sans china and fancy tablecloths and are too far away to hear the “good stories” at the adult table.
A friendsgiving is a casual, Thanksgiving celebration hosted either before or after the actual holiday. This simple party can easily be customized for kids outdoors (if the weather allows) or a kidfriendly space indoors. Our version is a creative spin on the traditional parts of the holiday where everyone wants to sit at the kids’ table.
Games
Black Friday Game
Thankful Blocks
This simple game brings out the competitive side in players and is easy enough for all ages. You will need several ad sheets from the Sunday paper (like grocery store, department store, etc.). Make a list or find one online of pictures you might find in the ad. For example, find a woman wearing a robe, a picture of a Christmas tree or a set of screwdrivers. Put the list on index cards and put the ads in the middle of the table. Draw one card and on go, the whole group grabs for the papers to try to find the item on the card. The first to find it gets the card and the game continues. The person with the most cards wins.
Purchase or make a set of Jenga-like wooden blocks in color. Most sets have four to six colors. Each color will represent something that they are thankful for—a person, something they like about themselves, something they use every day, something that makes them laugh, an activity that they like to do and a place they visited. As they pull out the corresponding-colored blocks, they have to say what they are thankful for.
Scavenger Hunt
Fall scavenger hunts can be done with natural items (like a red leaves or pinecones) as a photo hunt (like a red cardinal) or door to door with a list of Thanksgiving type items (a turkey napkin or the label from a can of pumpkin).
Activities
Mini Caramel Apples
A whole caramel apple is too big to bite into and often goes to waste. The solution is to make fun mini apples. Peel an apple and use a melon baller to scoop out mini apples. Insert a wooden stick and dip it into caramel. Roll into candies or nuts and let dry.
Art on the Table
Kids love the restaurants that let you draw on the paper tablecloth. Let the kids use their imagination to create pictures, play games like tic-tac-toe or write their name in bubble letters. Before the kids are seated, measure out a placemat sized space in front of each seat. If any artist wants to take home their masterpiece, you can easily cut it out.
Make Wishbones
Give each kid a small portion of pizza dough and some mini chocolate chips. Let the kids shape it into a wishbone, mixing in the chocolate chips. Near the top of the wishbone, let the kids insert one colored M&M candy for “luck.” Cook dough as directed. When they are cooled, let the kids pull them apart like a wishbone. The side that has the M&M has good luck for the year.
Menu
Turkey Sliders
Line the bottom of a 9 x 12 dish with Hawaiian rolls. Then layer with sliced turkey, shredded cheese bacon and ranch dressing. Place the tops of the rolls in the dish and brush with melted butter mixed with parsley. Cover and bake for 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees. Serve with sweet potato fries.
Pumpkin Fondue
Shred six oz. of Gruyere and 6 oz. of Emmentaler cheese into a large bag. Add three tablespoons of flour and mix well to coat. In a fondue pot or saucepan, add one cup of chicken broth and a half tsp. of nutmeg and bring to a boil. Slowly add cheese and stir until smooth. Add a small can of canned pumpkin to the cheese. You might not need the whole can, so pour a little in at a time to see consistency. Use angel food cake, pretzels or pretzel bread, bananas and apples for dippers. VP
Trash or Treasure?
If you would like to make this a holiday with gifts, Trash or Treasure is the way to do it. Players sit at tables of four. Each player is given a suit of cards ace through queen and one set of dice for the table. Players each bring a bag to the game (or the host can provide it) that includes three good gifts—five dollars each and three gag gifts. The players will take turns rolling dice and flipping over a card that matches the number on the dice they rolled. Once your cards are flipped, you can help your partner. When a team finishes, they yell “I’ve got the treasure,” and the winners at the table get to pick a good gift from the losers’ bag. The losers, in turn, get a gag gift from the winner bag. The winners move to another table (much like Bunco), and every person switches partners and resumes play. Play for several rounds or a time limit. Everyone goes home with what is in your bag—sometimes trash and sometimes treasure!
Mental Health MINUTE
by Dr. Britney Farmer
A.C.H.I.E.V.E. Academically Simple Steps Every Parent Can Take
This time of year, I often get questions about academic performance.
Grades are now accessible in real-time, and while this immediacy can be helpful, it can also cause anxiety— especially when grades fluctuate due to delays in submission, online glitches or teacher input.
As students try to raise their grades before report cards are finalized, I spend a lot of time discussing academic strategies with my patients—specifically, teens and preteens. One approach I often recommend is summarized in the mnemonic A.C.H.I.E.V.E. It’s a simple way to help your child succeed.
A is for Ask Daily
Ask your about homework every day. If they have assignments, they should get to work on them—ideally before the latenight rush that many students fall into. With schedules full of extracurricular activities, homework can easily get put off. Regular daily check-ins keep kids on track and prevent last-minute stress.
Don’t assume that your child, especially a preteen, is internally motivated to stay organized. Your daily involvement sends a clear message—academics matter.
C is for Check Work
Check your child’s completed homework to catch errors early. This also gives you insight into what they’re learning, and how they’re grasping it.
If you’re familiar with the material, you’ll be better prepared in the future to give them help. Reviewing work before it’s submitted gives your child a chance to improve accuracy and confidence.
H is for Harness Resources
Today’s classrooms use platforms like Google Classroom, Schoology, Canvas, Blackboard or ClassDojo. As a parent, it’s important to know which platform your child’s school uses and how it works.
Misunderstandings often happen because parents assume a child is failing when a teacher simply hasn’t uploaded grades yet. Understanding how and when teachers update assignments can prevent unnecessary conflict and better support your child.
I is for Identity Gaps
Look for patterns in your child’s work. Is your child struggling with a specific subject or type of assignment? Are the challenges due to comprehension or motivation?
Ask, “Do you not understand the work or not want to do the work?” This distinction is key. Gaps in understanding can be addressed with additional instruction or resources. Motivation gaps might respond better to encouragement or reward systems. Either way, knowing the root cause helps guide your next steps.
E is for Enlist Help
Once you’ve identified where your child needs support, it’s time to bring in help. Start by asking your child if there’s a classmate who understands the material. Group study or video calls can work wonders.
If your child has an older sibling, pair them up. It’s true that teaching methods have changed, and sometimes a peer or sibling can explain things more clearly than a parent.
Consider reaching out to local resources. College students can be affordable tutors. We are blessed to have Columbus State University right here in our area with many students. Your child’s teacher may also offer tutoring right after school for free or at a low cost. And of course, formal tutoring services like Sylvan can provide structured, regular sessions and progress updates.
V is for Videos Online
Screen time debates aside, online videos can be extremely helpful for both parents and students. YouTube and other online platforms offer tutorials on virtually every
subject and grade level.
Typing your child’s topic into a search bar can bring up step-by-step instructions and explanations. Watching together—or on your own—can break down frustration and help both of you learn.
Families in the military may also have access to free, live tutoring services. Don’t overlook these tech-based solutions.
E is for Enlist Services
If you’ve tried all the above and your child is still struggling, it might be time to consider special education services. Schools can evaluate your child for learning disabilities and, if needed, provide accommodations.
I wrote more about this process in the October/November 2024 issue, which I encourage you to check out.
You can also speak to your pediatrician, who can refer you to specialists or order psychological testing. Just be aware that these processes can take time. Stay persistent, and document your efforts.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution and won’t yield overnight results. Success may require patience and multiple strategies working together over time.
Above all, maintain emotional regulation. Yelling, scolding or losing your temper will only harm your relationship with your child and reduce their motivation. A calm, consistent approach communicates that you’re in their corner— even when things are tough.
Here’s hoping your school year is off to a strong start—and that you never need these tips. But if you do, know that there’s a community of professionals ready to support you and your child. VP
Dr. Britney Farmer is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist originally from California currently living in Columbus and practicing for St. Francis Hospital Partners at The Bradley Center Campus. Dr. Farmer has a passion for children with mental health disorders, learning disabilities and autism.
Good Witches for a Good Cause
ANNUAL COLUMBUS WITCHES’ RIDE RAISES FUNDS FOR CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
By Brett Buckner
With its depictions of flying around on broomsticks, casting spells, black cats lurking in the shadows, warts and spooky fashion sense, history and pop culture have rarely been kind to witches. But a new—and far better dressed—coven of ladies is restoring the good to a once wicked reputation.
Since they first took flight in 2023, the Columbus Witches Ride has raised more than $28,000 for the Bill and Olivia Amos Children’s Hospital, which, fittingly, opened just before Halloween in 2024.
“It was a tremendous jump from the first year to the second, both in participation and the funds we raised,” said organizer Molly Wallace. “So, there was no doubt we were going to do it again this year to keep that momentum going.”
The Witches Ride follows a two-mile Flight Path that begins and ends at Clubview Elementary School, located in the Hilton Heights neighborhood. Women dressed
in costumes inspired by everything—from Harry Potter to Hocus Pocus, Barbie, to hippies—to ride their brooms (bicycles) and vrooms (golf carts) tossing candy out to a growing crowd of spectators.
“It’s like reverse trick-or-treating,” Wallace said, “and a giant community watch party. It’s a really good time.”
Through registration fees and community sponsorship, The Witches Ride raises money that goes first to the Children’s Miracle Network, which then “sends every bit, 100 percent,” Wallace explained, “back to the local children’s hospital.” In this case that means the Bill and Olivia Amos Children’s Hospital. Located at the Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown campus, the $28 million hospital is West Georgia and East Alabama’s only freestanding children’s hospital dedicated to delivering best-inclass healthcare to sick and injured children from birth to age 18 years old.
“The decision for The Witches Ride to be a fundraiser for the children’s hospital was simple,” Wallace explained. “The event is very family-friendly, and every family can relate to the work our local children’s hospital is doing,” she said. “A new, state-ofthe-art children’s hospital is not only a win for the families who will seek care there, it elevates the caliber of our entire city.”
Jessi Brown, manager of the Major Gifts Program for the Piedmont Columbus Regional Foundation, has been impressed by how quickly the Witches Ride has grown into a major fundraiser. In its first year, the event raised $9,125. Last year, it raised $19,501.40. “It took off and everyone loves it,” she said. “We’re grateful that they chose the Children’s Hospital for that. I know there’s several amazing organizations in our community, but with the Children’s Miracle Network, it’s a beautiful thing because we treat all kids. We don’t focus just on one thing.”
While the Witches Ride is “crucial” for fundraising, Brown said, it also helps raise awareness. “It might drive [participants] to make a donation or donate toys during the holidays when a kid is spending Christmas in the hospital,” she said. “We would not have what we have here in Columbus in regards to our children’s hospital if it wasn’t for events like the Witches Ride.”
Since its inception, the Witches Ride has also received support from MidTown, Inc., whose mission is to increase quality of life in MidTown. “They believed in us so much from the start,” Wallace said. “Because it grew very quickly, from year one to the next—more than I was expecting— MidTown has been invaluable in making this a legit event.
Because it fits the kind of vibe that MidTown, Inc. wants to portray, boosting neighborhood energy and excitement, it made sense for the group to help foster the event, explained Julio Portillo, Jr., executive director for MidTown, Inc. “From the moment we first heard about this event, we knew it was destined to be a hit,” he said. “It has become a neighborhood tradition with residents along the route inviting friends and neighbors to tailgate in their yards as they await the procession.”
The MidTown Dad Band has added to the festivities by performing live music, including Halloween favorites like the Ghostbusters theme, “creating a lively and entertaining atmosphere for both participants and spectators,” Portillo added. MidTown, Inc. supports the Witches Ride by assisting with key logistics, including permits, insurance and securing police escort services. The team also provides on-site support with setup and registration. “We’re committed to continuing our support,” Portillo, “and are excited to offer even more resources in the future to help this event grow and become a signature celebration for MidTown.”
Last year, Wallace started signing sponsors in early September, followed by rider registration on September 29. She expects to follow the same timetable this year. The first year saw about 100 witches follow the flight path with roughly 250 participating last year. But no matter the
turnout, Wallace believes the Witches Ride is a success on multiple fronts. “It’s a great cause and a great feeling to know that our funds are making a difference,” she said, “not only to the families that will use that facility, but it really is a game changer for our whole city.”
“Had to bring it with me”
When Wallace and her husband, Carter, moved their family to Columbus from Birmingham three years ago, she brought the Witches Ride with her. “It’s huge over there,” she said. “We’re talking easily with over a thousand people involved.”
Coming up on its 13th year, the Homewood Witches Ride benefits the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center. Wallace was both a witch and a spectator in the event. “People come out in droves
there,” she said. “It’s almost like your house has more real estate value if it’s on the Witches Ride route. And when we decided to move to Columbus, my husband’s hometown, I didn’t like the idea of leaving the witches’ ride behind, so I had to bring it with me.”
It took about a year of getting settled in her new home before Wallace launched the Columbus version of the Witch’s Ride, pulling it together with a few other ladies in the neighborhood whom she felt would be good gauges for what would work best in terms of sponsorship and fundraising opportunities.
“I had already had that idea,” she said. “The timing was spectacular with the new children’s hospital opening. So, there was a lot of energy in town. It feels good to give something and then to actually be able to see where those donations are going.” VP
Fun Page
Harvest Word Search
Find these words:
What do you call a tree that doubts fall is coming? In disbe-leaf!
What is a scarecrow’s favorite fruit? straw-berries!
What do farmers wear when they get cold? A har-vest!
Why did Humpty Dumpty enjoy autumn so much? Because he had a great fall!
Fall Word Scramble
Can you unscramble these words?
Pumpkins are a staple of the harvest season, and they’re grown all around the world. Once exclusively found in North America, pumpkins are
8 Fun Crafts with Pumpkins
Welcome Fall By Getting Crafty With Your Kids
by Pam Molnar
Pumpkin Succulent Centerpieces
For this project, you will need a flat topped pumpkin, moss, scissors, hot glue and a variety of succulents. Apply hot glue to the top of the pumpkin and add moss in batches. Continue until the whole top is covered. Next, trim stems off succulents, leaving only about a 1/4”. Hot glue them down to the moss, going around the top of the pumpkin. Once a week, mist with water and it will last 2-3 months.
Positivity Pumpkins
Cut positive words and phrases from old magazines. Ask neighbors and friends if you don’t have any of your own or gather them from library used book sales. Purchase a plastic or foam pumpkin and a bottle of Mod Podge. Decoupage the words on the pumpkin with Mod Podge until it is completely covered with positive words. Place in an area like your desk or kitchen where you can see it every day.
Jute Pumpkins
This craft is simple and cute. Wrap jute twine around an empty toilet paper roll – 30-40 times. When done, gently pull off the roll, careful not to unravel it. Next, slide another piece of jute through the rolled up jute and tie it tightly. Place on a flat surface and fan the jute out to make a round pumpkin shape. Add a twig for a stem. To hold the stiff shape, spray with a clear varnish and let dry.
Pumpkin Coasters
Buy pre-punched wood slice ornaments from a craft store. Paint one side orange or white and let dry. If you choose to make jack-o-lanterns, add the face with black paint. If you want a more farmhouse look, add gray paint with a dry brush to look more weathered. Add a coat of spray varnish on top to make it water-resistant. Use floral wire to weave through the pre-punched hole and wrap to make a stem.
Fabric Wrapped Pumpkins
For this project, you will need a foam pumpkin from a craft store, a glue gun and several strips of fabric. Cut fabric pieces to 4” wide and the circumference of the pumpkin plus two inches. You will need to remove the stem and make a hole where you will tuck in the fabric. Fold the fabric in quarters to create a 1” wide strip. For the first piece, glue one end inside the hole and wrap it around the pumpkin, adding a few spots of glue to hold. Place the other end of the fabric in the hole on the other side and glue it in place. Continue around the pumpkin with other strips until completely covered. Add a small branch in the middle for a stem.
Wood Block Crackle Pumpkins
This is a great project for scrap wood. Cut into different sized rectangles. Paint all sides with black paint and let dry completely. When dry, paint on a layer of Elmer’s glue to one side and then, before it dries, paint a layer of orange (or white) paint. As it dries, it will add a crackled effect. Repeat on other sides if desired. For a stem, you can use a dowel rod or a stick hot glue to the top. Add embellishments like ribbons and greenery around the stem.
Pumpkin Coffee Mugs
Grab a white coffee mug and colorful Sharpie markers. Decorate the outside of the mug with pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. Personalize with a name or add a pumpkin saying like “Pumpkin spice and everything nice or Oh my gourdness!” Place in the oven directly on the grates while the oven is off. Then set the oven to 350 degrees. When the oven reaches that temperature, bake the cups for 30 minutes and then shut the oven off. When it is done, let the cups completely cool in the oven before removing them.
Marbled Pumpkins
For this project, you will need a clear storage box or bucket filled with water, nail polish of various colors and white craft pumpkins. I suggest wearing gloves for this project. Pour several drops of each color onto the surface of the water. Then draw lines through the nail polish to create some swirls. Hold the stem of the pumpkin and dip the pumpkin through the nail polish swirls pushing it straight down and pulling it straight up. Let dry and display. VP
In the THICK OF IT
Finding Magic in the Mundane
Let’s be honest for a minute.
Truthfully, it started off gloriously, didn’t it? We came home from the hospital one blissful day, on the highest high, with the most perfect bundle of pure joy in our arms, and life was nothing but shimmering magic.
Fast-forward a few years, and maybe you feel that, while your precious little one is worth every second of it, life has become more mundane and less magical. From school schedules to bedtime routines filled with five stories, three bathroom trips and one last hug, the days can blur into monotony. The sweet coos that once felt like music now echo as shouts from the bathroom for someone to come wipe their bum, and you find yourself looking around, wondering how you got here.
It’s easy, when surrounded by piles of laundry and dirty dishes, to forget the awestruck wonder with which we first beheld their perfect faces. It’s easy, when they run inside from playing in puddles and track mud onto the carpet, to forget that those little feet used to bring such delight as you’d watch your growing belly dance with their kicks.
Sometimes we become so accustomed to the magic of daily life that it starts to seem mundane, but stepping back into the wonder of it all just takes some intentional reframing of our reality. To be dazzled by the magic again, sometimes we just need to slow down.
Magic is in the way our prayers for time are answered. It looks like a burned out light bulb that helped us see the words in their favorite bedtime books. How many stories, giggles and sleepy eyes did that light bulb shine for? And one day it burns out, full of memories.
Magic looks like fingernails that already need to be trimmed again, shoes already too tight for little growing feet and a patch of fuzz on the upper lip of a teenage boy who used to fit in my arms. We see these things, the evidence of time, and we sigh and shake our heads—but isn’t time what we prayed for all along?
Its passage is barely perceptible when we’re in it, but when we look back, we realize we’ve been given time all along the way. We hardly noticed, and we wouldn’t even be sure of it if it weren’t for photos, fingernail trimmings and that one burned out light bulb. All reminders of the hours and days we were blessed with. Time is a gift, and it is magic.
We can’t force magic on the mundane, but we can keep our eyes open to spot its glimmer. Sometimes it’s a realization we stumble upon when we’re already in the midst of it. We’re dancing around the kitchen, laughing, and I realize “This is magic.” Sometimes it’s a glowing orb we only notice when we look back at the smiling faces in photos, and we think, “That day was magical.”
It was an ordinary morning, and I was running late, as usual. Stepping out of the shower, the foggy bathroom mirror caught my eye—covered in words and hearts made by little fingers. My daughter and I have been in a mirror message battle for months now. She insists she loves me more, but I tell her that’s impossible. We took our battle to the bathroom mirror to prove our love, each secretly leaving the other messages to be discovered. I marveled in her sincere devotion that morning and smiled. Magic on a mundane and busy work day morning—I almost missed it.
Parenthood is hard, but being loved in
by Natalie Downey
return by the ones we fought to bring into this world is nothing short of magical. Watching them grow day after day and riding the current of time with them is a privilege.
I tip toe across the room to kiss my son good night. Feet bigger than mine peek out of the blankets, his hair, wind-blown from playing soccer in the yard, tumbles across the pillow. I sigh at the marvel of a child I once carried who has now outgrown me, and in this moonlit reverie, I whisper a quiet prayer of thanks. For what good is the gift of time if we never stop to notice its magic?
Sometimes life is mundane, and that’s ok because the truth is that the mundane is really magic in disguise. It’s proof of the gift of time that allows us the luxury of monotony, and it’s an opportunity to remember that there is wonder to be found even in the third round of Green Eggs and Ham. All around us, magic abounds. VP
free moment to recharge.
As a mother of six, Natalie Downey navigates the world of parenthood with a balance of humor and nostalgic sentiment. She lives in East Alabama and enjoys spending time in nature when she finds a
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Pastoral Institute
Pediatrics at Brookstone Ctr.
Phenix City-Russell County Library
Pierce Chapel Methodist Preschool
Polka-Dots Early Childhood Development. Ctr.
Preppy Pets
Puddle Jumpers Child Enrichment Ctr.
Rivertown Pediatrics
Russell County DHR
Second Avenue Animal Hospital
Jeffrey Serff, DMD
Smile Doctors
Smiths Station Baptist Church
Smiths Station Pharmacy
St. John AME Church
St. Luke Early Learning Ctr.
St. Mark UMC Child Dev. Ctr.
Lisa Alexander Strickland, DMD
Summerville Baptist Church
Sylvan Learning Center
Nora Tan-Ngo, MD
Toni’s Dancing Studio
TSYS Childcare Center
Uptown Pediatrics
Richard A. Valentine, MD
Wynnton Methodist Preschool
ZÖe Pediatrics