Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Kara and the Argonauts

Ever since I was little I always knew that I was special. After countless hours watching Star Wars, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Care Bears, Rainbow Bright, Heman, Superman, X-Men and many others, my mind and imagination soared with all of the different possibilities I had to really shine. I needed answers; and the only way to get them was to first figure out what my powers were. In my mind, this made sense, and I carefully kept track of all the instances that proved my superheroness. There was that one time that I fell out of the tree and was caught by a bush below... which obviously meant that I had some kind of power over nature. There were all the countless times that I sucked the pain out of my moms head by simply rubbing her temples, which could only mean I had some kind of healing power. And there was that one time that my little brother was choking on a sucker and I bent him over and hit his back as hard as I could which forced the sucker out of his throat and into the toilet. Apparently I was also extremely strong with an inherent know how when responding to danger. All I needed to do was to prove my powers to other people, out in the OPEN. (Since most of these instances happened in my own home, I think my family was already used to my abilities and therefore didn't really notice how extraordinary I was.) One day proved to be the perfect time and place. We were at some kind of an activity with lots of people. I think it may have been a church event, and we were gathered at a park. Everyone wanted to play a game and there was a giant log in our way. PERFECT I thought to myself, now is my chance. Of course, all the men gathered together to push the log out of the way... and of course I would let them try before coming to their aid. I watched as they struggled, faces red, neck-veins bulging, but to no avail. I rolled up my little 7 year old sleeves focused on my strength abilities, summoning the source of my power to aid me in this heroic adventure. I put one hand on the log thinking one arm might do the trick. The log didn't move. No problem. I placed my other hand on the log, took a deep breath and pushed. In that moment the log started moving. Confidently I continued pushing, the log rolling little by little, my insides tingling with wonder. I really DID have super strength! Did anyone else notice? Why weren't they cheering for me? Why wasn't anyone calling my name and telling me how strong I was? Why were these grown ups still pushing, couldn't they tell I could do it on my own? Amongst all these questions the log began to take on speed. In a split second the whole thing rolled forward SO FAST my little body rolled along with it placing me face down on the other side. A big hand swooped me out of harms way and I stood, watching as the log was pushed by all the adults (when the women started helping I have no idea) to the other side of the park. Standing there, a bit confused, it occurred to me that I may not have had super strength. I was 7. I got over it. I still laugh about that... and at myself and the thoughts I had when I was growing up. What was I thinking? I mean really... revealing myself without a mask?! Every now and then I jot down a few notes in my heroic log about how I saved someone from drowning, or how I killed a giant spider. But, my Super Hero days are pretty much limited for now. Pretending to be normal can be so difficult for someone so... not normal. Don't worry world, I'll figure out my super power soon.