We all have people we care about but seldom see. I have a score of people (maybe more) that I often think of, but never get around to sending a note, or e-mail. or—dare I mention the possibility?—letter. Don’t mention calling. I almost never make calls unless I absolutely have to, though I’m often happy to receive one.
So it recently occurred to me as I mused of this shortcoming in myself, that wouldn’t it be wonderful if we lived in a magical world where all we had to do is think good, or loving, or well-wishing thoughts of someone and they would be notified? Now how a person would be magically notified is also enigmatic. Possibly they could hear your thoughts in their head but in your voice, or maybe it could be written in smoke-like letters in the air for them to read. I suppose the thoughts could be delivered in a dream, or maybe since its a magical world, a parchment could be deftly penned by an unseen hand and the scroll then delivered—maybe the task could be charged to a parliament of owls, such as in Harry Potter—or as in my case of thinking and never doing, by turtle.
Of course, there are nuances. We wouldn’t want the rants, snipes and angry thoughts to get out, at least not right away. How often have we been less than charitable in our minds about someone only to rue the thoughts after time has passed. Or—there could be other embarrassing thoughts about someone—their haircut is ugly, or their feet size doesn't fit their body. Teens would have a terrible time if every time they thought a guy or girl was cute the message hurried over to tattle. No, there would have to be some sort of filters in these thoughts, but that’s a puzzle to tackle another day.
And then, as long as we’re creating a magical world, there should be other magical things we can decide to do. Nothing, of course, like magically cleaning the house or washing dishes or clothes, there’s no question we’d have that. And while many might want to be taller or shorter, brown-eyed, or blue, fatter or thinner, there would be none of choosing ourselves in this magical world, but maybe we’d all be happy with the package in which we were delivered, that would certainly be nice.
And I’m not sure how to craft things like villains and heroes. Is there such a thing was a world without one or the other? Maybe we could draw the line at pure evil, but without contrast, wouldn’t life be boring?
Sigh, you see? I’ve digressed, and this dear reader, is the reason I often think about someone and never follow through with action: my mind is messy, and darty. It promises one journey but I end up on another or many others. Just be thankful we stayed in the walls of a magical world today and didn’t hare off to do a load of laundry, plant a flower, paint the house or write a story. By-the-way, have you ever read, Under the Bed Fred by Linda Bailey? If not, you should. You’d be in for a treat. I only discovered it a few years ago and I never tire of it—which is odd since it’s a children’s book, but that probably says a lot about me right there. Ugh, see, I almost went on another completely different tangent. Maybe I’ll save it for another day.
Whew, close call.