The Magnetism of Imagination

Kris Kringle: You know what the imagination is?
Susan Walker: Oh, sure. That's when you see things, but they're not really there.
Kris Kringle: Well, that can be caused by other things, too.

There’s a lovely scene in Miracle on 34th Street where Kris Kringle is teaching little Susie Walker the power of the imagination. He describes traveling to a fabulous nation…the Imagi-Nation. For whatever reason, my mind replays that particular grainy black & white film sequence often. Perhaps my subconscious sends this visual reminder constantly because I so constantly become imprisoned by reality. Imprisoned is a harsh word, maybe bound is more appropriate. My reality is wonderful…I’m speaking more about the trivial items that overlap to become the Great Busyness that is the life of wife and mother. The laundry, the dishes, the meals, the bills, the homework, the appointments, the practices and games. When do we lose sight of imagination? That great place where reality blurs and anything is possible. When/why does it begin to fade from a flame to a flicker? In correlation to age perhaps. Does one’s imagination decrease in direct proportion to one’s increase in years?
I propose the age correlation, because many children dwell happily within the great nation of Imagi-Nation. I marvel at the creativity of the Bug and the Pea. Most every moment of every day is not as it appears to the naked eye. What may seem as two little girls sorting seashells may actually be an underwater tea party for mermaids. What may look like a torn shoebox may actually be the habitat for an obscure desert creature. I’m constantly picking up stray washcloths from the kids’ rooms – or should I say baby doll blankets, birds’ nests, Barbie dresses? Pipe cleaners molded in the shape of doll clothes hangers, stuffed animal collars, fishing pole hooks.
During a recent layover, the girls entertained themselves with a single sheet of paper. The Bug discovered a wadded up flier in the bottom of her backpack. The Pea helped her tear apart pieces until they had (they claimed) a kingdom of paper dolls. When it was time to board the flight, the Bug stashed the royalty and subjects into her pocket. Once the kids found their seats, the kingdom magically reappeared on a mountaintop (a.k.a. airline pillow). Dreaming during the daytime – where you can manipulate the outcome.
“Help! I’m hanging upside down from the claws of a dragon in the tippy top room of the castle tower!”
“I’ll save you with my Popsicle stick sword and double secret flying power juice box potion!”
In the Imagi-Nation, you are always right, no matter what. Naysayers scoff: Giraffes DON’T live on clouds! (Well, they do in the Imagi-Nation) You’re NOT the President! (Well, you are in the Imagi-Nation) That’s NOT hot lava seeping in through the ceiling tiles! (Well, you get the picture.)
Perhaps when you’re around children a great deal, parts of a dormant creative mind begin to awaken. In the midst of a play date, you can’t help but be pulled toward the magnetism of the Imagi-Nation. Even as I type, the Court Jester (well, elf) rehearses for the Royal Cat while the Pirate Ballerina challenges Superhero Ladybug to a Dance-Off.
A giant dose of imagination is good for the soul.