The Dream of My Heart

I have a rolled up scroll in one hand and a light saber in the other.  Eric is kneeling before me, ready for me to anoint him.  I touch the scroll to his right shoulder and then to his left. 

“Youngling, are you ready to train to be a Jedi?” I say. 

Eric glances up at me.  “Yes.”

“Then I appoint you a padawan.  You may begin your training.”  I say as I hand Eric the light saber. 

Eric bounces to his feet and snatches the light saber from my hand.  With a press of a button he discharges its blade and swings it over his head.  His buddies, Evan and Jaxon, who I appointed a few minutes earlier, cheer.  Then they all bound off into the yard ready to do battle against the Empire.

I smile and walk back into the house.  It felt good to be invited into the boys fantasy world, if only for a few minutes. 

For the past week, I had a chance to spend five days with my family at the magic kingdom.  It was the ultimate fantasy adventure.   On our last night in Florida, when we returned to our hotel room, I hugged the kids and asked, “What was your favorite part.

Beth smiled at me.  “I like the princesses.”  In my mind’s eye, I pictured Beth hopping up and down with her hands over her mouth squealing with glee.  She was meeting Cinderella for the first time.  It was like a dream come true.

I kissed Beth on the cheek.  “You are my princess.”

Eric was next.  He laughed as he answered.  “I liked when we ran through the rain.”

I laughed too as I recalled the night it rained.  For a few minutes we stood under a shelter.  But the wind was blowing and the kids wanted to go back to the hotel.  So while Ken pushed the girls through the park in a double stroller, Eric and I dashed through the park trying to run between the raindrops.  By the time we reached the monorail, rain dripped from noses and our clothes were soaked.

I held my fist out and Eric bumped his to mine.  “That was awesome.” I said.

When I finally looked at Emily, she giggled.  “It’s your turn, Honey Bee.”  I said.  “What was your favorite part?” 

“My favorite part was having the dream of my heart.” Emily grinned wide.

The dream of my heart.  Sitting on the monorail and watching Eric’s eyes bug out as we whooshed through the Contemporary Hotel.  Snapping a hundred photos of Beth hopping up and down when we met Mickey and Minnie.  Holding hands with Emily when she was scared of the dancing broom in Mickey’s Philermagic. 

I pulled Emily close and hugged her tight.  “You are the dream of my heart.”

It’s Sunday night now.  And vacation is officially over.  By the dream is still in my heart.