Everyday Magic

Yesterday, I was talking with a friend of mine about how great Harry Potter is. (I know, my friends are nerds. It's what I like about them.) Anyway, she commented that it makes her sad when people choose to not read the HP books because they are concerned about the "magic" in the book. As we discussed it, we realized that we both like the idea of there being magic in the world. It's kind of nice to think of the mystery and wonder of it all. It made me think of another friend of mine who, when he was eight years old, was told by his parents that there is no such thing as Santa Claus, or the Easter Bunny, or the Tooth Fairy. They ripped all magic out of his life. (He also got the sex talk in that little chat, but that's a story for another time.) And while yes, I secretly hope that elves live in the forests outside of Seattle, and that Baba Yaga is somewhere in Russia flapping around in her big chicken house, and that fairies glean the raspberries that we don't pick in the summertime, I know none of that's probably true.

However, I do believe in the magic of everyday things. For example, when Boden giggles so much that his chest sucks in and his whole body shakes, that's pure magic, as far as I'm concerned. Or when someone says just the right thing, the thing you didn't even know you most needed to hear until they said it, that's magic. Opening a jar of homemade raspberry jam, and finding not just jam in it, but a lifetime's worth of memories of picking raspberries with my family, of chasing Boden up and down rows when he was in his "fight or flight" stage of life, of Allie helping me find the best sections to pick, and of my dad teaching me the "Two for the mouth, one for the bucket" strategy of picking raspberries, that's magic. When Allie turns to a friend and asks her a question, drawing out a shy little personality and letting her express herself, that's magic. Randomly flipping through the scriptures and finding the exact story or verse that helps me deal with whatever crisis I'm facing... is magic. When an embroidery piece on the wall can conjure the image of a peaceful evening of sitting with my friends, quietly commiserating and laughing and swapping ideas about how to deal with our husbands and our children and our other responsibilities, that's magic. And books! Who can question the power of a book, to completely transform the world around us? That's magic!

So, I accept that "Accio remote!" will never make the remote fly through the air and land in my hand. And seriously, I don't really need it to. But that everyday magic? Oh, now that I need. That's what makes life worth it. Sometimes, that's the only thing that sees me through the day. I hope you can find everyday magic in your own lives.