Real once.

The true laughter ringing from your chest as you battled alongside your friends against hordes of goblins, orcs, giants, and other assorted beasts; the poor creatures doomed to failure as you were unassailable with the wooden or foam sword at your side, enchanted by the mind to such an extent that it had become Excalibur itself.

It was real once, just the same as the fiery pit that engulfed the expanse of floor between the sofa and the recliner that you had no choice but to leap. It was as tangible as the gun fashioned by your pointed fingers as you took down the robbers in your duty as the cop.

The obligations we fulfilled as dutiful fathers and mothers in our roles in the play of house, the palpable casting of fire and ice from your hand or wand as you displayed your skill in the sorcerous ways; all as true as the vaguely gun shaped stick that turned into a deadly and accurate lazer in your grip. Just think back and you’ll remember, it was real once.