Laura Chapman Writes

I thought I lived with Superheroes.

Most of them are in the room that was once my husband’s garage.

There are also cars in there, but not in the traditional sense. They are parked on gorgeous dark grey slate tiles, each placed carefully by his hands alone, under custom painted crown molding and track lighting. And while it was clear from the start this room would never be “just a garage,” it was silly to think that once the cars were properly housed, he would stop there.

Looking over them are a bevy of meticulously displayed Superheroes; various Iron Men, several renditions of Superman, a very impressive Obi Wan,  along with Wonder Woman and Shaak Ti.

And last but far from least, are the favored Batmen — each more impressive than the one before. More coming from exclusive places and yes, I have asked my collector husband many times — where he plans to put them all.

But I really can’t complain about his unique hobby.

Because the man behind the collection is MUCH more impressive.

Almost six years ago when a little boy arrived, it wasn’t enough for him to simply like Superheroes, it was time for him to BE one. So this man shrugged off the much easier title of “Grandpa” and accepted, without question, the daily job of Dad.

Again.

Instead of more time on the weekends to sleep and more hours during his free time for leisure, he is playing ball and water guns and building legos. Nightly stories and bedtime prayers are said and making sure there is nothing “scary” in the closet so dreams can be sweet is routine. Every weekend morning, a very small astronaut tip-toes into his room, climbs under the covers and together they fly to Mars, or the moon, or wherever their spacecraft takes them; fueled by lots of giggles and tons of imagination.

And all the while, he is guiding and teaching. Protecting, correcting and counseling. Instilling values and being a role model.

And collecting Superheroes.

Through it all, I watch and I smile.

Because now I understand what it means to be a superhero.

And I know.

There really is only one REAL Superhero in our house.

Edited and updated from earlier version, Superheroes In The Garage.