Children suck us into their fantasy worlds, willing or not. From the pixie dust on my kitchen counters to the dinosaurs in my Christmas tree, a world of wonder (and mayhem!) awaits. And yes, there really is an army man stuck in my chandelier.
Here’s how it happened:
“Mom, look! There’s an army man stuck up there.”
I don’t know how we’ll get him down. We still haven’t figured out how to change the light bulbs. They’re closer to heaven than I am. I decide to leave GI Joe stranded. He makes me laugh and probably won’t start a fire.
I hope.
And so the years pass. Matchbox cars speed down stairs. Stocking are hung, taken down, hung again. Filled with newer, older toys. Electronics instead of dinosaurs. Princesses dance across thresholds.
Life moves on.
Meanwhile, Joe watches from army heaven. Sometimes I wish I could see what he’s seen, the ages that continue to pass with the relentless march of time.