The Crowning Ceremony
by Shelley Norman

“I hope I’m dressed ok, the kids told me this was a ‘fancy’ occasion,” my best friend Tina said taking a seat on the bench next to me. I scanned her pretty pink sundress and matching cardigan, “I think they’ll approve.” Tina looked around the backyard at the bunting draped fence, bow bedecked bushes and streamer adorned archway. Even the bird bath had dandelions floating in the water to ‘add some flare’. “Wow, they sure have been busy.” “Well it’s not every day you hold a coronation,” I said smiling. “They’ve been preparing for this all week.” “Yes, it’s all the girls have been talking about,” Tina looked towards the house. “Where are they anyways?” “Final touches. They should be out any moment.” And no sooner had I uttered those words than the sliding door to the living room opened and a kazoo sounded, “I’m guessing that’s the royal procession now.” First to come out the door was Sparky our terrier wearing a red cape, he was followed by my son Kyle who was playing the aforementioned kazoo and wearing his Robin Hood costume. “Announcing their majesties King J.J. and Queen Emily,” Kyle proclaimed as my other son and Tina’s older daughter came out the door, also wearing long red capes over ‘fancy dress’ costumes carrying magic wand spectres. Following them was Tiffany, Tina’s younger daughter, in a princess costume carrying a throw cushion with three crowns sitting on top. The procession walked around the yard ending at the arbour which had two decorated chairs sitting below it and a table to the side with a book on it. Tiffany placed the pillow she was carrying on the table, while the king and queen stood in front of the chairs. Kyle played a final note on the kazoo before tucking it into his pocket.

“Dearly beloved,” Kyle started, “we are gathered here today to make J.J. and Emily, king and queen of the world.” Sparky ran over and pawed Kyle’s leg. “Oh yeah, and Sparky supreme dog commander of the world.” Sparky seemed pleased by this and sat down next to J.J.. I put my hand over my mouth to stifle a laugh. “I will now do a reading from the royal book,” Kyle took the book Tiffany passed him and started to read, “Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.” He paused for effect. “Humpty Dumpty had a great fall,” he looked down shaking his head sadly. “All the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t put Humpty together again.” He solemnly closed the book. The children all paused as if observing a moment of silence in memory of Humpty. Ti let out a little giggle next to me. Kyle pulled out his kazoo and blew a little fanfare, “it is now time for the crowning ceremony.” J.J. and Emily took a seat on the chairs below the arbour, Sparky stood between them. Tiffany lifted first one crown off the pillow, delicately placing it on J.J.’s head and then another to place on her sister’s head. Finally she picked up the third much smaller crown and bent to place it on Sparky’s head, slipping an elastic under his chin to keep it from falling off. It was all just so cute I couldn’t help slipping my phone out to take a few quick pictures while the kids were all distracted. After the three nobles had been crowned Kyle sounded another fanfare on his kazoo, then in unison he and Tiffany exclaimed, “long live the king, long live the queen, long live the supreme dog commander of the world!” I swear Sparky took a bow, geesh!

“I now pronounced everyone crowned. If anyone tries to kiss anyone it will be off with their heads, so no kissing!” Kyle said looking sternly at Tiffany who had a massive crush on him and regularly tries to corner him and give him a peck. “Let us go to the house for the royal snacks,” he sounded his kazoo. The king and queen rose from their chairs and lead by Sparky and followed by Tiffany they processed back around the yard and through the sliding door into the house, with Kyle bringing up the rear playing a marching tune. At the door he turned played a final fanfare and closed the sliding door. “My that was quite the experience,” said Tina standing up and smoothing her hands over her skirt.

“Yes, it was,” I seconded. The patio door slid open again, J.J. sticking his crown adorned head out, “Mom are you coming to make the royal snacks?” “Aww...it appears I’ve been summoned by the rulers of the world,” I joked to Tina. She laughed, “yeah, and you’ve got two of them living in your house, at least I only have one in mine.” I rolled my eyes as we headed into the house together to feed our little aristocrats.

Shelley Norman is a child care provider, freelance writer and farmer. Her writing has appeared in various magazines, journals and anthologies throughout Canada and the U.S. She has one published children’s book, ‘Bruce County Counts‘. Visit her webpage at www.facebook.com/ShelleyNorman.Writer