Light Refreshments Served

I’m confident that most people have imagined what kind of superpower they wish they possessed. For many it’s invisibility, flight, super-strength, or x-ray vision. For most who actually HAVE superpowers, it’s an overnight revelation. Peter Parker (Spiderman) had to deal with his spidey senses and abilities overnight and alone–imagine the pressure he felt at the discovery! And, if that wasn’t enough, Peter Parker had to make his own costume! I don’t think many people stop to realize what that entails. At least Superman was lucky enough to know about his super speed at a young age, and as he developed he knew how to hide it and use it for good: farming. But I digress.

My revelation has come slowly, over the span of years. It started out simple–I’d change the roll of toilet paper or empty the dishwasher, and hardly notice anything extraordinary about it. But then I’d realize, maybe after being out of town and coming home, or taking it easy after the birth of a baby, that these things wouldn’t get done. Could. Not. Be. Done. I wasn’t ready to accept my fate and make my own costume, partly because I didn’t want it to be true–I didn’t want the responsibility that naturally comes with superpowers– and partly because I don’t know how to sew, and I wish I did.

When I watch the TV show Heroes, the most fascinating part is how the characters come to discover their hidden power. Like the time Claire (the cheerleader) jumps off a building just to make sure she her body can heal from anything, and SHE DOES. What a literal leap of faith! So I reluctantly experimented with the strength and extent of my powers. Sure enough, days would pass, the toilet paper roll would stay on the back of the toilet, on the counter, but NEVER back on its designated roll. Dishes would pile up in the sink, and no one knew if the dishes inside the dishwasher were clean or dirty. They would ask me and, somehow, I always knew. Once my eyes were opened to my new powers, I came to see ones that I had lived with and never knew. For example, while writing this post, I have been interrupted twelve times and I’m still, technically, returning to the same topic–twelve times, and it’s only the third paragraph! Also, I’m typing with the cutest newborn on my lap and I know Batman never did that. AND he had Alfred to help him. And a Bat-Mobile and loads of cash. I don’t mean to openly criticize Batman (we super-heroes need to stick together), our powers are just apples and oranges (thirteen times).

The most frightening power I posses is the ability to see clutter. It’s like a super sense, really. Last Saturday (fourteen times) I asked my older boys to make their beds and pick up their room. They did it, or thought they did, because there were little bits of paper, a penny, and two Lego guys on the floor that they had missed. I told them they needed to pick up EVERYTHING off the floor and they insisted they did. In that moment, that defining moment, I realized that they didn’t see the little bits, only I did.

We’re all familiar with the saying, with great power comes great responsibility, and, believe me, you don’t need to remind me! The other day my husband told me he couldn’t take all five kids to Home Depot by himself, and I didn’t think anything of it. I take them everywhere with me all the time. But now I’m thinking, maybe he can’t. So now, while utilizing my superpowers, I find myself wondering if a costume would really help or hinder my abilities, not to mention which colors and what fabric. . . I’ll be honest, it’s a lot to think about.