Coming of Age, A Subtle Thing

(August 30, 2020)

I was happy to hear you battling another great dragon again in the next room over. From the sound of it, it seemed to be quite a tough sword fight. 

I saw you in the dark room swinging your sword at the shadows as I walked up the stairs, and by the looks of your actions, exhaustion, and the level of energy expended, they were no doubt quite glorious dragons and horrific foes. 

You didn’t know it, but this was one of the last times you would play that way. I’m sure you hadn’t noticed, but over the last couple of years (as all kids do), you had fought these imaginary dragons less and less, and at this point, I hadn’t seen you battling any furious enemy since half a year ago. It is certainly happening less and less, and as we grow older, we notice less and less how little we imagine and how much time has gone by since the last time we joined the battle.

And so I sat and just listened, smiling with fondness, knowing that this fictional battle, though seeming childish, held a deeper richness that would no doubt help shape you into the courageous and heroic man you would one day become.