SNOW WHITE BECOMES QUEEN

Snow White was looking out the window of the little guest house where she had been so happy for so long.  She was rapidly recovering from the plague, but she still felt a bit weak and tired.  The fairy twins has visited her that very day with momentous news.  Her stepmother, the Queen, was dead and no one mourned her, but her father, the King, had also died, leaving the kingdom without a ruler. As the King's only child, Snow White must take the crown and rule with a firm hand or civil war might break out and devastate the land.  The young princess has never wanted to rule, but now she feels she has no choice.  The fairy sisters have flown to the castle to make ready with the few servants who are left and to see if they can find a horse for Snow White.

 Since she cannot sleep, the princess goes outside to walk in the moonlight.  How could she bear to leave her friends behind when they had saved her life and shown her such kindness?  And how would she ever restore the palace to its former beauty when it was covered with vines and trees were growing inside its walls?  Nature had overcome the castle and Snow White was no match for its force.  She walked for hours until she reached the long road leading to her former home.

       Snow White knew she could not rule without help, but perhaps her fairy friends could use their powerful magic to assist her!  The seven little men could use their wisdom to advise her!  Those servants who had remained in the palace would support her reign; she had never doubted their loyalty.  And the Huntsman could....but she immediately banished the thought of him from her mind as she knew he would never leave his wife who was so ill.

But she gradually became aware of the strength that had always been within her and the sense of purpose that was newly born.  A powerful feeling of optimism warmed her spirit, a sense that she could overcome adversity and create a new kind of kingdom, the fresh new world she had dreamt about since childhood.

And before her eyes the road ahead began to change and grow green with promise.

                                

SUMMER OF 1963

Before I knew what was happening the school year was over at Wesleyan and I left campus not knowing if I would return for my last year.  In the brief space of three days I was Maid of Honor for two radiant brides in creamy white, my two close friends, Linda and Bootsie, who moved away with their new husbands.  I didn't know if I would ever see them again.  (Of course I did.)  Both weddings are a blur of music, flowers, beautiful dresses and happy people.  I had trouble speaking because I was plagued by one of my infamous throat infections.

As I stood next to each lovely bride, it did not escape me that I didn't even have a boyfriend.  I had never had a serious relationship.  I wasn't sure what my fatal flaw was but I knew I had one.

I also realized with sickening clarity that I didn't have the courage to try and become a real actress.  I was too scared of rejection and uncertainty.  I wanted and needed security and there was none in my life.

That night I boarded a train to the unknown. I was going to waitress in Asbury Park for the summer and I had absolutely no idea what would come next.  I could return to the warm cocoon of Wesleyan and finish my degree even though  the people who meant the most to me would not be there.  What else was there for me?  I felt completely unmoored as the train hurtled through the darkness.