The Roots
To Brandon, Rebecca, and Joey may this story be part of your life and your children’s lives forever. Grandma will always be there… La Magnifique Fée-Mamie.
I know that if you were still with us, you would tell them how proud you are of them, and I know that you are with them every second of every day. I also know that you are here for me, as you always have been. You continue to be the quiet strength right behind me, and I recognize your touch in so many things, every single day.
I am so grateful for the wonderful marks you have left, and continue to leave, on my life. When we are filled with so much happiness and love, we feel the need to share it. There is no greater purpose for me than to share the maternal spirit that meant so much to me—the essence of my mother—with others. Family at the Forefront is a testament to your life, Mom. I will keep you, dear Fée-Mamie, very busy for a long time. All of this helps me miss you a little less and feel your presence even more. With all my love and admiration,
Your son, Frank.
La Magnifique Fée-Mamie
Once upon a time, there was a little girl destined for the most wonderful role in all of humanity. But she had no idea when she was born in Cartierville, Quebec.
She was just a typical little girl in 1953 Montreal. The seventh of nine children, with two brothers and six sisters, it wasn’t always easy to stand out!
Her father, a private detective, was a very serious and imposing man. An only child himself, he had been adopted. Her mother dedicated all her time and energy to taking care of her children and their small home. She also came from a large Québécois family, so this life was familiar to her.
The little girl attended the local Catholic school. She was quite shy and had some difficulty at school. The teachers, who were strict, made her very nervous.
During the week, she spent most of her time dreaming of the coming Sunday when she could spend time with her father.
You see, he was always working but never failed to be there on Sunday mornings to make her favorite breakfast:
..banana sandwiches!
It wasn’t so much the taste of the banana sandwiches she loved, but the fact that her dad made them for her and the other children.
Unfortunately, those days of happiness were numbered. In the winter of 1964, her father fell ill. The little girl went to the local church every evening to light a candle and pray to God to save her father.
In vain. Her prayers went unanswered. At the age of twelve, she learned that her father had passed away. Despite all the prayers and wishes she had made for him to get better, he left this world, and she couldn’t do anything about it.
Life was never the same for the little girl. Christmas came and went that year. Birthdays, Easter, and all other traditional celebrations no longer made it to her home. Weeks turned into months. Sadness engulfed the little girl.
As time went on, the little girl grew up. She helped her family and contributed to household expenses by babysitting or working at the local snack bar after school.
At seventeen, she left her mother’s house to live with her sisters, Johanne and Shirley.
At eighteen, she began working at an insurance company, Crown Life, as a receptionist. That’s where she met her prince charming and future husband, Ronald.
In 1976, her only son, Frank, was born. The apple of her eye, she dedicated herself entirely to him. She spent every day, all day, taking care of him, reading him stories, playing with him, making delicious meals, and most importantly, loving him unconditionally.
As Frank grew up and was not always at home, she decided to work as a dental assistant. One day, her husband announced that he wanted to start a business and asked her to join him. Her dental experience would be very useful in this field, where they provided financial support for people needing dental care. She enjoyed being able to help and use her experience to contribute.
While helping her husband grow the business, she remained very close to her son, and eventually, he too joined the family business. For her, it was a dream come true. She spent her days with the two people she loved most in the world.
One day, she was visited by a strange character. She heard the voice of her beloved father, telling her that it was now time to use all the magical talents she had accumulated over her life and become Fée-Mamie for some very special children. At first, her job would be simple.
With her crown of love, her cape of maternal warmth, and her wand of family unity, she would become the guardian angel of Frank, Sylvie, Rebecca, Brandon, and Joey.
"Just as I did for you, even if you didn’t always notice, you will watch over them, protect them, silently answer their questions through their dreams, but above all, love them forever and unconditionally.
You will take special care of their family, knowing that family is the key to each child becoming an honest and kind person."
And today, as she has had so much success, her fairy powers have multiplied. She now spreads her wings wide to take care of many other families with children who need love.
Thank you to our young illustrators
for bringing La Magnifique Fée-Mamie to life in 2016:
- Rebecca Devito (10 years old)
- Brandon Devito (13 years old)
- Stephano Elali (7 years old)
- Cassie Cardillo (8 years old)
- Marysol Trépanier (7 years old)
- Élodie Gosselin (14 years old)
- Raphaëlle Desjardins (6 years old)
- Youssef Younes (7 years old)
- Nour Younes (10 years old)
Offer a Moment
Family at the Forefront turns the challenges of critical illness into opportunities for comfort and connection, placing love and family bonds at the heart of its support.