Remember when we could convince our kids that everything was magic?
Whether it was the automatic hand dryers or the sliding doors that open by themselves, I remember when my kids were mesmerized by these sort of things. Not that they would sit there for hours, but watching an automatic revolving door spin was certainly something that was cool to watch, at least for them anyway. It seems as though the only time I could get them to wash their hands was by one of those magical sinks. Everything was magical.
But somewhere along the way the magic stopped.
Washing their hands is no longer the same knowing that there isn't a Devine power turning the water on and off. And going through a door? Well, when you can see that there is a censor opening it, it kind of takes away enjoyment. Now it's just a door instead of a magical portal to another dimension (although you could argue the door to Walmart is a portal to a strange and different world).
We have managed so far to hold onto some of the magical things in life like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy, but don't get me started on the last two; I wish they didn't exist. I know it's only a matter of time before they disappear along with the excitement of one of those jet powered hand dryers. Who knows how much longer we have? With Tyler being eight and knowing how kids at school talk there is bound to be a little bit of skepticism starting to creep into his head. I don't know what a life without Santa Claus would be like.
I know things like that are inevitable. It's just a matter of holding onto them as long as we can. I don't want the magic to stop. Seeing the doors close on my children's innocence is a hard thing to deal with sometimes.
