Even though summer is the time for being outdoors and (maybe) enjoying it not raining every day, I do get a little bummed because my favorite television shows are over for the year. I’m not a huge fan of the hospital dramas or the cop shows. My favorites are the superhero shows like Arrow and Flash and Supergirl. I’ve been watching them for years and, admittedly, a part of me wishes I could put on a cape or jump into some tights and be transformed into Super Chris. Flying would certainly ease my morning commute.
But after some reflection, maybe it’s time for a realistic superhero show – one that reflects the superpowers we all have. You don’t think you have superpowers?
You’re wrong.
There are superpowers all around you and inside you. My mom was the first to introduce me to real superpowers. She has “mom strength” and could always be counted on to open pickle jars. My favorite of hers was the ability to wash dishes in sink water that had to be a couple of degrees below boiling. She would hand me plates to dry that were hotter than anything you’d get out of the kitchen at a Mexican restaurant, yet she grinded on day after day.
My dad also exhibits superpowers. His skill was endurance. Long after I’d get tired of helping chop wood, Dad was out there going through cord after cord. To this day, he sits on the riding lawnmower at the baseball park for hours and hours and hours of mowing.
My wife’s is the power of inquisition. She would be a tremendous district attorney by day and crime fighter at night. “Where are you going?” “What are you doing?” “What was that noise?” “Do you think these jeans make my butt look big?” “Do you think our son will drop out of college in six years and move back in with us?”
She’s very thorough with her questioning.
For me, I didn’t think I’d ever develop a superpower. But with Father’s Day coming up this weekend, I realized that nearly all fathers develop certain superpowers and I finally found mine.
Mine is hard to categorize. It’s a sense of timing. I could be sitting and watching a television program then my Spidey-senses start to tingle. There’s a light on in the upstairs bathroom that must be turned off.
I could be sitting in my office pretending to write my weekly column when my inner voice reminds me that it’s time for a snack or it’s time to check Twitter… again.
Once you find your first superpower, you find more. I am the finder of socks left on the ground. I can hear when the upstairs toilet is left running. And I seem to be the only person in my household who knows the secret of changing the toilet paper roll or replacing a burnt out light bulb.
There are superheroes all around us. On this Father’s Day weekend, spend a few minutes recognizing those who have superpowers in your life – and learn to change the toilet paper roll and turn off the bedroom light.
(See some of Chris Kamler’s super powers on Twitter where he is known as @TheFakeNed. You’ll also find him on Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat and Instagram)