If I Had A Superpower
Ever since I was really small, there was only one superpower I ever wanted. I wanted to fly. I’ve always been fascinated by the sky. As a kid I dreamed that when I rode a plane, I’d take a paper bag with me so I can capture some clouds that I can bring home and play with.
Even as I grew older I always imagined what it would be like to just take off, watch the ground recede, and join the clouds. I’d watch thunderstorms, touch the top of mountains and watch cities from hundreds of feet up in the sky.
My dreams are filled with attempts to fly. Often failing, sometimes succeeding. And when I did fly, it felt incredible.
Now that I’m 45, my dreams have changed. I realized how selfish I had been. To have the opportunity to wish for a superpower, I always wished for this thing that benefited only me and no one else. I felt kind of ashamed. It is so often said in the superhero world, in fact it is the superhero world’s biggest cliche: Great Power Comes With Great Responsibility. But it’s true. It’s very true. If you have the power to change things, you have the responsibility to use it well.
The experiences I’ve had in my life led me to wish for a superpower that I want now more desperately than I ever wanted flying.
I want the power to heal.
I want to be able to heal the sick. I want to heal people with cancer, with Aids, with the cold, with brain damage, with organ damage, those who suffered strokes and heart attacks and ulcers. I want to ease their suffering and make them feel good again.
I have seen people suffer. I have seen how debilitating illness can be, and how it wreaks havoc on a person’s body and spirit. It strikes bad people as well as good people. And if it strikes the good people and the innocent people, it’s even more heartbreaking.
And you’re sitting there and there is nothing you can do to help.
I swear, if I ever have to sacrifice whatever talent I have in writing and drawing, I’ll gladly exchange all that right now just so I can have the ability to heal.
That is the superpower I want.
