How my dad conquered the Wicked Witch of the West

I was five or six years old the first time I watched The Wizard of Oz with Mom and Dad.  I immediately loved everything about it, from Dorothy’s ruby red slippers to the Horses of a Different Color to Glinda’s floating bubbles.  There is only one part of that movie I did not like--the Wicked Witch of the West scared the pants off of me.  I still get chills the each time she appears on-screen in a plume of smoke.

After the end credits rolled, it was time to go to sleep.  Well, after watching the Wicked Witch try to kill Dorothy and seeing the flying monkeys snatch up Toto, there was no way that was going to happen.  I remember lying wide-awake in my bed, completely terrified.  I was just sure that I could see the brim of the Wicked Witch’s hat sticking out from behind my bedroom curtain.

Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore.  I needed someone get in there and take care of this Witch.  But not just anyone—I needed my daddy.  I yelled, and he was there in seconds.  I immediately felt better.  That Witch was going down.  I told him that I was afraid of the Wicked Witch of the West who was waiting behind my curtain.  He checked behind the curtain and said it looked like she was gone.  But just in case she came back, he told me, he was going to put my Lion King stuffed animals around me so they would gobble her up if they tried to get me.  After placing Simba under one arm, tucking Nala under the other, and putting Mufasa at my feet, he kissed me goodnight, made sure I didn’t need some water (I always seemed to need water when it was time to go to bed), and turned off my light.  I woke up the next morning thinking that my dad could do anything, even keep the Wicked Witch of the West from eating me.

Life still gets scary sometimes, and my dad is still there for me.  But now instead of stuffed animals, he surrounds me with wise words, love, and prayer.

Thanks for loving me, Daddy, even though it’s my fault you started losing your hair (or so you claim).  I wish I could be with you today, but know that I’m thinking about you and I’m thankful for you.  I couldn’t do this summer without you.

Happy Father’s Day!  I love you!

1992 (please note the hair)