Runa holds her head high as she softly enters the glade, quiet calm in her uniquely coloured eyes, one purple and one green. The gentle midday wind plays with her mane, as her horn glows in the sunlight. She pauses, looking around with the disbelief she always feels in Gemstone Glade.

Her purple eye itches. A purple door suddenly appears before her, pulsating with a gentle light. Runa stares, disquiet swelling in her heart, hand in hand with excitement. There is always magic in Gemstone Glade.

Without a second thought, she slowly walks through the purple door. A wood surrounds her, purple light filtering through the trees. A path winds gracefully through the wood, an invitation to explore.

(c) Can Stock Photo / Subbotina

Runa breathes in the purest air, breathing out all her earthly concerns as she feels invisible arms around her. It is like the wood is hugging her. The trees are silent, but they feel like friends, an aura of comradeship embracing her.

The path ends. Before her lies a meadow, purple grass and purple clover reaching to a purple sun. A purple river flows in the distance, and purple bubbles dance in the sky.

Is this the mythical Purple Paradise?, wonders Runa. The one Mother Mara had spoken of?

A purple fairy appears before her. “I am Amethyst. Welcome. I will be your guide.”

Amethyst tells her about Purple Paradise. It is a world between worlds, a pocket dimension accessible only to the chosen few. “You are chosen,” whispers Amethyst. “Your purple eye is a link to our dimension. You are here to learn how to heal using the purple ray. This is our gift to you, and you will take it back to your world where it will benefit many.”

A shining purple road leads them to a purple temple. “This temple is made of amethyst crystal,” explains Amethyst. “It is here that we will give you the purple healing ray.”

The temple is circular, with sunlight streaming in from above. A purple fountain bubbles in the middle. “It is just like the Gemstone Glade fountain!” exclaims Runa.

Amethyst takes her to a large amethyst crystal which rises from the floor and towers over them. “Touch this crystal. It will give you the purple healing ray.”

As Runa touches her horn to the crystal, a wave of energy soars through her body. She feels energised and alive. She knows that she can now transmit this healing energy with her horn. It is a gift, and one she must use wisely.

It is time to return. Runa says goodbye to Amethyst once they are back at the purple door. A purple tear slides from her purple eye. She does not wish to leave, perhaps she will never come here again.

Amethyst says softly, “Purple Paradise is now in your heart. You can come back here anytime in your dreams, as you sleep.”

Runa nods. She backs through the door, and finds herself in Gemstone Glade. The door has disappeared.

But it is not time to say goodbye; it is time to say hello to her new healing abilities. Runa drops her horn to the fountain, as a rainbow appears above. Purple tears flow and join the waters beneath. But a new beginning sings in her heart.

It is Mothering Sunday in Gemstone Glade.  The fairies sprinkle magic rose petals around the fountain, infused with bliss energy. They are ready to pamper the best mother of them all – Mother Mara.

Mother Mara is mum to seven unicorns: Magic, Harmony, Blessing, Divina, Innocent, Heaven and Happiness. Each of these unicorns has a unique magic power. Some can fly, while others can turn in to Super Unicorns and jump in to other dimensions to save people and, at times, whole worlds.

It was Mother Mara who nurtured their powers, and turned them in to the unicorns they became. But she takes no credit.

She patrols Gemstone Glade and the wider forest, daily, helping any creature she finds. She is known as Forest Mother among its residents. The fairies love her too, as they adore anyone who helps animals in distress.

This is why the fairies are ready to celebrate Mother’s Day just for Mother Mara. They hang magic flowers in the trees, all the colours of the rainbow that emit a soft light. The fountain waters turn pink, the colour of motherly love. The trees begin to sway in time to a gentle forest song, the music of a misty forever.

Mara’s children enter the glade, the glow of gratitude in their eyes. They adore their mother, and cherish their childhood memories like gold dust. Happy recollections are more valuable than jewels.

Finally Mother Mara herself enters. The fairies throw rose petals over her, as she bends her head in a quiet thank you. Then the fairies fly round her head transmitting their fairy magic. Mother Mara sits down, joyful and grateful.

The fairies begin to sing, as the unicorns softly neigh in time. It is time for a fairy party, with cakes and dancing. Mother Mara looks on, happiness swelling in her heart as tears fall from her eyes. There is no home like Gemstone Glade.

This blog post is dedicated to my own marvellous mother, and to all mums everywhere. Thank you for all you do from the bottom of our hearts.

(c) Can Stock Photo / Catmando