Life's Magic

When I was a little girl, maybe about six years old, my parents took me to see David Copperfield. I remember I was disappointed that I had to leave my cousin's birthday party (at McDonald's), but it ended up being one of those defining moments in my life. I remember my parents and I had great seats on the main floor and David walked right past me when he was looking for an audience member to be his assistant. He did playful tricks with his pet duck (Webster) and I thought I was going to watch him die on stage when he did the death saw trick. When I left that auditorium, I was forever intrigued by magic.

For several years David Copperfield had annual television specials. I'd clear my evening just to watch him and I'd capture his performance on VHS -- and if I couldn't, I asked a friend to. Whenever he rolled into town I made an effort to see him preform live. Then, for my 30th birthday, Dan surprised me with a trip to Las Vegas. This fantastic trip was planned around an evening to see David Copperfield (front row) and a chance to meet him afterwards. It was an absolute dream come true! So far I have seen him four times in Chicago and one time in Las Vegas. Watching his television specials, I can say that I've seen a majority of his tricks done live -- and believe me, seeing them in person is way more impressive than seeing them on television.

 

So what is it about magic that gets me so excited? It's simple, really. When someone does a trick, when they preform "the impossible" and I can't figure out how they did it, I'm in awe. Granted, I've studied some magic and I now understand how many tricks are done (or at least the concept), but I definitely cannot explain them all. Regardless, in that moment, when I'm expecting one thing and something even more exciting happens, I am at a loss for words. Magic makes me smile and my imagination comes alive. I'm like a child, experiencing life's most magical moments for the very first time.

Really, when you think about it, life is very magically to small children. Everything is new and there are countless opportunities for adults to witness a child's face light up in awe. Take a moment and think about the very first time your parents took you to Disney World, the first time you saw the ocean, the first time you held a puppy, or the first time you saw your favorite movie. Do you remember what it felt like Christmas morning, when all those presents magically appeared under the Christmas tree? Go ahead and take some time to remember those special memories. I bet they'll make you smile.

I think for most adults the magic of life has faded. There isn't much that surprises us because, in many ways, we know the truth about many of those "tricks". Disney World is expensive! People have died in the ocean. Puppies are a lot of work. Movies, sadly, aren't always as good as their previews would suggest. Then there is Christmas and Santa Clause... but you get the idea. As adults our minds get cluttered with various truths and it strips away the magic. Magic isn't magic if you know how it is done.

Witnessing someone preform a magic trick, especially close-up magic, brings back that childlike sense of awe and wonder. That is a feeling that I cling to, especially now that I have a beautiful daughter that I get to introduce to many of life's magical moments. It encourages me to create these significant moments for her.

This is my challenge for everyone: experience magic! Let magic revive your inner child and belief in making the impossible, possible. Parents, let magic help you understand what your child is feeling when you surprise them with a special outing, gift or when you take them on vacation to somewhere they have never been -- and possibly never even heard of. It'll encourage you to continue to make life even more magical for them.

I'm even willing to help you fulfill this challenge. Next time we hang out, ask me to do a trick for you -- I know a couple good ones. Also, if you have a trick that you can show me, please do so! I'd seriously love to see it.

If you've got a moment, watch this old, family-friendly magic trick preformed by David Copperfield. It's one of my favorites and it always makes me laugh. Enjoy!