Those Woods Are Called Fairy Land

Below are emails between my sister, Felix's aunt, and Felix in the Fall of Felix's Freshman year at Purchase College. The reason Felix talks about a memory he already has with Auntie Sarah on the campus of Purchase College is because Felix lived on campus year-round for 5 years as a child when I was a student there. Astute readers and Felix scholars will notice another reference to bunnies, and Felix's favorite symbols in his signature line (heart and infinity).

September 4, 2007

Dear Felix

I just want you to know I am so proud and happy for you. You are so incredibly talented and gifted. I know you're going to work hard and be a great success. 

It is hard for me to not feel sadness at you leaving us again and entering a new phase of your life. The idea of someone, who I have always known as a child, growing up and moving into an adult world is very difficult to accept. When did you grow up? I'm sorry, I am being horribly sentimental.  

I wish I had been able to come down with your mum and grandparents, but Marc worked all day, so I had the kids. The boys and I took Frankie and Bekah to the playground and the town forest across from Concord High School. I have included a couple of photos. 

We all miss you very much already. I miss you more than I can say, I feel like I'll never get to spend the time with you that I always hoped to. Hopefully I'm wrong, I don't want us to grow away from each other. In some ways you'll always be the little boy I loved so much before I had my own boys. I will always be here if you need me. I love you dearly. 

Make sure you take care of yourself and STAY SAFE in everything you do!!!! Sorry, I just worry. A lot. Well, I will go now. Please send me your address as soon as you can and stay in touch. I hope we can see you soon and often.

Take care of yourself,

Your Aunt Sarah

 

 

September 9, 2007 

 Dear Auntie Sarah,

I'm sorry you couldn't come down too. Every time I walk down that strip near the dance building, I think of this memory I have of feeding bunnies with you. You woke me up and told me it was late in the morning. I got confused. LOL. Then we went and fed bunnies, and the weeds I thought were beautiful flowers were soo tall. We always had fun. I can't imagine us growing apart even if the forest of beautiful flowers becomes weeds, they're just as glorious in my mind. :)

My mailbox # is 1149. Expect to get some postcards.

The pictures are cute :) Those woods are called fairy land.

I miss you a bunch!

<3 8 Felix

 

Walking Slowly in the Cemetery

By Rebekah Parise

 Remember that time we went to the cemetery just to read the names on the stones?

I pointed in morbid glee at the stone of someone whose name was spelled the same as mine

You were more solemn than me

Taking in every letter, walking slowly, carefully

I remember you telling me you'd done this a few times before

I couldn't fathom why

Now there's a tombstone bearing your name

First and last

I hope when we are all buried and forgotten

And nobody is left to plant spring flowers

At your gravesite, there will be someone like you around

Someone walking slowly in the cemetery

  Mourning every forgotten person

 I hope they read your name