The Dark Side

It's everywhere.

In everything from my kids' undies to their dinner plates. It's ubiquitous, entrancing, and all over my living room. The Dark Side and I live a not-so-quiet co-existence as my children have fallen prey to its force. I trip over light sabers, hang up Darth Vader capes, and gather chess pieces and tri fighters and action figures more often than daily, if that's possible. I hear the sounds of Star Wars theme music in the car as Benjy and Camden hum it, from my study as Camden and Curt struggle to win against the Playstation, and from Benjy's little mouth as he teams up R2D2 against Darth Vader and General Grievous. I don't even want to know who wins that one.

Such is life with boys. For years we got away without hearing the slightest gun noise from Camden. Then, suddenly, Star Wars entered our home and the BOY in my husband and two children was awakened. PACHOOO PACHOOO PACHOOO. It's the sound of boys. Of the force. I hope I've taught them that the force is not to be used on real people. It's a pretend thing. Yes, Camden tries hard to use the force to move a straw across then kitchen table. And he blames "the force" on his difficulty with listening to directions. But, overall, I think The Dark Side lives in their active and vibrant imaginations. I don't see it when Camden hugs his "babies" - stuffed animals. I don't see it when Benjy runs up to me and plants a big ol' kiss on my cheek. I don't see it when they both snuggle in bed with Curt and me first thing in the morning. Truly, that's when the Dark Side has been overcome by my good Jedi masters. I guess I really don't need to worry. Deep down inside, the power of the good force is there, ready to shoot out of their Yoda light sabers and save the day.