Magic Lives Here

There's a magical place in my house.  It is the source of love, comfort, and peace.  It heals wounds and broken hearts.  It makes time slow down and giggles erupt.  Somehow, there is always room for one more person, despite the limited space in the magical place.

It is the one, magical place my children long to be...on Daddy's lap. None of them are immune, they crawl up (or down in Baby Boo's words) to snuggle in his strong arms. When I entered the room this morning, Miss 11-year old Rosarita was awkwardly perched on the magical spot.  Not really fitting, having to lay back to put her head on his shoulder, but positively glowing as she felt her Daddy's peace surround her.  She's been longing for that peace for weeks.  She was home and happy in that moment.

With our bellies full from dinner, Daddy sits down at his computer.  It is finally fixed after a year of problems and he sure does love some PC gaming time.  Little boy can't resist getting his dessert and "waa" and calling "dow" and "u-pup-pup" so he can watch the screen with Daddy.  My heart grows 3 sizes as I watch him mimic Daddy's movements and points excitedly at the screen.  They ooh and aah over the videos, games, and the occasional bird or dog.  He leans over to nibble at his brownie, but never takes too long.  He doesn't want to miss a second of watching his hero.

It's always tough to decide which game to play; but with prodding from Mom and Baby Boo, Daddy settles on Don't Starve.  The opening music is a siren's call to 4-year old Doodlebug. It's her and Daddy's game.  It doesn't matter that Baby Boo is already firmly ensconced on Daddy's lap.  She clambers up on the other leg, leaving Daddy a 4 inch viewing space between two little heads.  But that's okay, Doodlebug watches the screen for him.  It is her job to provide the non-stop game narrative.  "OK, Daddy, what did we do last time?", "Daddy, you need wood.", "Daddy, where's Chester?", "Oh look, Daddy, there's an eye bone.", "You need to eat, Daddy", "Daddy, it's getting night, you need to build a fire.".  It's her time;  her time with her Daddy and their game. They laugh and giggle and try to define 'distinctive'.  He cannot convince her that it doesn't mean stinky.  Daddy sets Doodlebug to the task of watching for rocks.  It is the most important task in the world right now...because Daddy needs her help and it's their game.

So, yeah, I've discovered that real magic exists and my children have limitless access to it.  I thank God every day that I have this man and that he shares his magic with my babies.