of magic and superpowers

I love Peter Pan. I love him because he lives in Never Never Land and because he flies. He lives in a world in which pixie dust and happy thoughts enable one to fly, and that is something I find wonderfully appealing. This body would not be trapped by roads and paths, and my perspective on the world would take a new form as I looked down at skyscrapers on my way towards the stars. It would be topped off by the experience of moving effortlessly and silently through the night sky. Magical. 

Tonight I asked JM, “If you could have a magical power, what would it be?” Tonight he replied, “To be able to change any one thing into another thing.” (I say tonight because I have asked this question before, and will ask it again. One’s answer should, most definitely, depend on one’s mood… this is magic after all.) His potholder would become his misplaced car keys and a book his wallet. In a sudden downpour a bracelet could become an umbrella or a blazer a raincoat. At that moment, I believe he would have changed his plate into a fully cooked, hot, and delicious dinner. All in all, a wise choice. 

I love water, and I love being in water. And so, rivaling my desire to fly is my desire to be able to breathe under water. When I once suggested that this would be my superpower of choice, JM said that he could already do that – SCUBA diving. But it’s not the same. I love to dive, but to be completely free of gear and gauges would be magical. When I go into the blue water and flip summersaults there would be no shifting of a weights, a large vest, and heavy tank (yes, somehow breathing under water does equate to being neutrally buoyant too). Rather, I would swim freely with my saltwater friends. 

But tonight I said that my power would be to transport myself instantly from one place to another. I could stop in for dinner and be home in time to crawl between my sheets. My weekends could be spent wherever with whomever my heart so desired. No lamenting about hours in the car or on a plane. The mere thought of this makes me smile. This would be topped off by the ability to transfer this power to others. Next time I was on the phone while cooking up a feast, you too could join if I had this power. 

Those are our choices for the night – changing one thing into another and instant travel. Together, we would be unstoppable. And so I wonder, what superpower would you choose today?