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I listened to the rain hitting the window, I wondered how to keep today upbeat for my two school-age children. A flickering memory guided me into other parts of the house to gather supplies. As I staggered into the living room with blankets, clothespins, a card table, and two flashlights under my arms, my children looked at me in bewilderment. I told them my plan and soon their eyes sparkled with fun, and ideas.
Two armchairs were slid back to back with plenty of room between them. A quilt was thrown over both of the chairs and a couch that was commandeered to play the role of 'the reading chamber'. I slipped the flashlights and a stack of books into here, knowing that this would be a well used area in the fort. The card table was set up in front of the chairs as a doorway. My daughter got the idea to but a cream colored blanket over the card table so that some light could penetrate into the dark and mysterious depths of this enchanted place.
Soon there were dolls, trucks, crayons, and a tea-set in the fort. Followed soon after by "Can we have lunch in here too?"
I smiled and remembered my forts that I had built in the distant past. Some were monstrosities that had lasted for weeks in our basement. Others were made like this one, just for the day. I had given them the idea, and tools they needed, and now I could sit back and watch their mind create a wondrous land of enchantment. They only needed for someone to give them the key to this magical idea and then to let them be.

Learn more about this author, Jennifer Bresee.
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