Where is my super suit?

Hello! I'm back from our family vacation in Matunuck, Rhode Island. Every year, we rent a beach house for 22 adults and kids, which never disappoints. But now, the bags are unpacked, the laundry's been put away, the Red Sox are on in the background (I'm hoping they don't give the game away to the Cleveland Indians), and most important, the kids are asleep.

So on vacation, Alex watched the animated film The Incredibles, and now it has become his new favorite movie. That’s fine with me because it’s one of my new faves, too. After seeing it for the fifth time in four days, however, I've come to realize there’s a scene that for me sums up the meaning of motherhood.

Elastigirl (a.k.a. Mrs. Incredible) is flying a jet on her way to save her husband, Mr. Incredible, from himself. Actually, he’s gone off to save the world but neglected to tell his family. So she's going to the bad guy's not-so-secret lair to retrieve her husband. Meanwhile, the two oldest children (Violet, a teenager, and Dash, her precocious younger brother) have stowed away on the flight only to be discovered by Elastigirl.

The jet is targeted by missiles that she can’t outmaneuver. As the missiles hit the plane and they face certain death, Elastigirl turns herself into a giant ball, envelops the kids with her body, and protects them from harm. After the jet explodes, they plummet toward the ocean, but not before Elastigirl turns herself into a parachute and guides them safely into the water.

And isn't that what moms (and dads) do? We think quickly and act fast. We protect our kids at all cost. Elastigirl didn't hesitate to pull her kids close, danger be damned. Many times I have wished I could make myself into a ball or a parachute to absorb the brute force of what life is serving up that day. But I know how to soothe a bruise, kiss away a tear, or give a hug when needed.

Now does that make me a superhero? Absolutely!