Books for the Bobbin - The Chronicles of Narnia.

Image Credit - Fantastic Fiction

I grew up reading these books, watching the BBC adaptations and playing Narnia in my backyard.

The family favourite is 'The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe" the story of four siblings sent to the country in World War Two. The youngest, Lucy finds a magical land in the back of a wardrobe in the country house they are living in and at first her siblings don't believe her but later are forced into hiding in the wardrobe and entering Narnia.

In Narnia there is a witch who calls herself queen who has made it always winter but never christmas. Legend has it that she will be defeated by four humans who will become kings and queens and replace her. They will be put in power by Aslan the king.

The four children are reluctant heroes but find that they must enter Narnia and help it to be rid of the White Witch.

When we used to play Narnia my brother was High King Peter, My sister was Susan, I was Lucy and our Dad was Mr Tumnus the friend of Lucy. Our dog was Aslan. Mum did not often play but we would sometimes give her the role of the witch. I'm sure she loved that. Nobody wanted to be Edmund so his role was sometimes taken by friends who came to play.

It is a happy story about children who are able to make a difference in a magical land and become kings and queens. There are beautiful creatures and scary villains. The white witch certainly is formidable but I think it is necessary for children to see such characters. Our world is not full of good things and misunderstood things. There are some things that are dangerous and some things worth being scared of. I can remember being terrified of the Witch.

But in the end good triumphs over evil.

As a child I was totally unaware of C.S Lewis using the story as a parallel to the story of Christ. I have read that he did not intend the story to teach children about God but merely to see what it would be like if Jesus came in a land inhabited by talking beasts.

I remember watching the Disney/Walden Media film of Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and was all at once struck with the beautiful image of Aslan being killed on the stone table just as Jesus died on the cross. It struck me that Aslan was not caught, he was not a fool. He went willingly and suffered pain and died knowing he would be alright and he would be victorious.

I don't really think it matters if you can't make a connection between Christ and Aslan. I think the stories standalone as wonderful works of fiction. They encourage children to believe and use their imagination. To trust in good and turn from the bad. They have memorable characters and are written in a way as to encourage children to read more and more.

These books will no doubt be read to the little one over and over again.

Fathers Day

Its Fathers day on Sunday.
What a great day that reminds us where we come from.

My dad has his birthday five days after fathers day so while we have always celebrated both days now that we are no longer under the same roof its harder to visit for both days.
We are going to visit my dad the weekend after (his birthday) which will be really good.

I love my dad.
I have such great memories of growing up with him.

I don't remember him from when I was a baby but I have video footage of him changing nappies and giving me cuddles.
He used to make us baby pancakes on Saturday morning.
We used to play narnia. He would be Mr Tumnus and I would be Lucy.
He took us to violin lessons and listened the whole way through.
He watched our violin concerts and clapped the loudest.
He took us to sunday school.
He taught us about Jesus and always wrote the christmas play.
He read to us every night and in between as well.
We planted trees with him out in the yard and now there is a forest.
He is the best tickler I know.
He taught me old family sayings;
"If that's the worst you have to eat you'll be lucky."
"I beg your pardon Mrs Hardon the chooks are in your garden."
"Wherever you be let the wind go free."
He played a galloping horse game with us on his knees that was sheer bliss.
He danced with us and took us to bush dances.
He shared with us his love of beautiful folk music.
He cooked us rolled oats cookies and chocolate biscuits.
He made lasagne and shepherds pie.
He took us to art lessons.
He put up with teenager tantrums and silly boyfriends.
He listened to me as I cried about my friends.
He took me to soccer and basketball and cheered when I got the ball.
He tried to teach me some hard truths about life... with love.
He got pretty upset when I left home but helped me move to Sydney and carried my boxes.
He came to visit and took me out to dinner.
He met and approved of Myles.
He walked me down the aisle at my wedding.
He danced with me at the reception.

I'm a big girl now. He doesn't need to change my nappies. I make him pancakes now when he comes to stay.

But I'm still his little girl and I love him very very much.

Happy Fathers Day Dad.