Why This Mom Is Thanking Disney's Fairy Godmother

People go to Disneyland and Disney World in order to confirm that all the lessons fairytales teach us are true and that magic does really exist — if only for a few hours. You can tell that that was exactly what Janice Maureen Murphy was looking for after reading her open letter to the fairy godmother at Disney World. While the circumstances surrounding her visit were tragic and painful, you cannot help but appreciate the beauty in this story.

Murphy gave birth to her daughter Analiese only a month ago, but was struck by tragedy when her newborn passed away due to a rare chromosomal disorder. Since then, Murphy has been grieving and documenting her journey on her blog, helping other parents deal with their own situations. Recently, it was Murphy's entry about her trip to Disney World that has gone viral.

After the passing of her daughter, Murphy decided to place Analiese's ashes inside of a plush teddy bear. She carried the bear to Disney World in order to incorporate her child in something magical. Unfortunately, Murphy started to feel sad when she thought about all of the activities her daughter would never get to participate in at the theme park. She cried for a few minutes and then got in line to see the Fairy Godmother from Cinderella. Upon meeting her, the cast member hugged the bear, treated it with the same kindness she treated all the other children at the park, and really changed the day around. It was the cast members tenderness and kindness that helped heal some of the hurt Murphy was feeling that day. She wrote an amazing post on Facebook that you can check out below:

To the Fairy Godmother I didn't know I needed,

You had no idea the young woman that was holding a purple teddy bear was me. I was just another stranger, waiting in line to meet a character at the most magical place on Earth. I was smiling but you didn't know I spent 10 minutes in tears over the things my daughter will never experience. You had no idea what that purple teddy bear represents to me.

Despite your utter lack of knowledge, you included the bear in our interaction. And when you found out that my daughter died, and that her ashes are within the bear, you treated her the same way you treat every child that comes to see you every single day: with love, compassion and kindness. When you hugged her, and kissed her cheek, you made me feel like Analiese mattered to you.

You may not ever see this, and even if you do, you may not remember us. But I will always remember you, and how you hugged and loved on my daughter as if she was like any other child. You helped me feel her spirit in a place she was never able to visit while alive.

Thank you thank you thank you.

Love, Analiese's mommy.

Images: Disney