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Writer's pictureHilda Van Netten

Flying

“Hope can be a powerful force.

Maybe there's no actual magic in it,

but when you know what you hope for most and hold it like a light within you,

you can make things happen,

almost like magic.”



The grandkids are at that magic age when what they've done at Grandma and Grandpa's place in the past combines with their individual abilities and interests and something new happens. Drawing together always takes place, but not drawing with a late birthday gift: a new set of markers. Oh! The possibilities!



They are at the "seeing shadows" stage. And, the "seeing three dimensions" stage. Be still my heart. Not a bad tumbler by a ten-year-old and an eight-year old.



"When you know what you hope for...."


Why is it that picking up a wild turkey feather at the side of the road makes a girl look for a balancing weight of maple leaves for her other hand? Why is it? Because you know you can fly. You can fly when the weights are equal.


But, will you land on the brown maple leaf?



Yes!


Magic.




Quiet times happened when Dads and sons had time to be together.



And cousins could take the lead and explore what's over the next hill.



And, Moms could hear what fun it was to fly.



It seems that every visit needs to have a wedding lately. This time a bunch of bunnies and a lion and who knows what other stuffed toys were gathered by three giggling girls. A wedding happened. They were joined a boy who humoured them...... but wished he was carving something with his new jack knife. Or maybe slashing a tree with his sword. The magic is different for everyone, right?



Looks like we may have a pattern designer on our hands. When your 7-year-old grandchild looks into your eyes and asks, "Grandma, will you draw with me?" This is the result. Butterflies and bugs and snakes. We both drew, we both coloured. Her ideas. My feelings? Magical.



"Knowing what you hope for". The oldest does perfect cartwheels. The next one is getting close. The youngest?


She can fly.




“The moment you doubt whether you can fly,

you cease for ever to be able to do it.”


J. M. Barrie, Peter Pan




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