It’s funny how we learn lessons in life; they always seem to come from the most unlikely of places. Today, my three year old son Liam taught me one.

My wife is a big fan of what she calls ‘mini vacations’. Anyone who is familiar with married family life knows what I’m talking about…. museum trips, day hikes, tours of little ridiculous places that make for a good snapshot or two in the old family album. Today, being that I felt like taking a day off, I got sucked into one. Not how I planned to spend my day, I assure you…. I was thinking something along the lines of a trip to the park with the kids, mowing the lawn, a few cold beers and a brewer game in the evening. Instead, I was informed this morning, in that “It would be a bad idea to disagree” voice that only wives and mothers have, that we would be going to see something called the Rudolph Grotto.

I wasn’t too upset at the idea at first, mainly because I had no idea what a grotto was. Being a man, I of course couldn’t admit to ignorance, so I ran downstairs and googled it. To my utter dismay, I realized that a the grotto is a collection of stone monuments and garden exhibits. With something called the ‘Wonder Cave’. This was going to be about as much fun as the mustard museum. (sadly, such a place really exists)

I entertained thoughts of suicide and running away briefly (as I always do in these situations), but as usual it was to no avail, and 45 minutes later we were on the road… Rudolph Grotto or bust, and heaven help us.

Pulling in, I was less impressed than I had planned. The place was part of a catholic church, so I knew we were soon to be overwhelmed by Virgin Mary’s and crosses. Liam was about as happy as I, so we decided to split into two groups, with the crabby males of the clan having every intention of a quick escape. A large building was all you could see from the road. Half covered with Ivy, it was interesting in a quick glance as you drive by kind of way.

Rounding the corner, we were greeted by this eyesore, which might have impressed me had one of my children built it, but only in the most parental of ways. Things only got worse, as the next stop on the path brought us to the awe inspiring Wonder Cave…

Slightly more amusing…. there is a tree comprised mainly of thorns just to the right of the photo that I’m sure was meant to be symbolic. This was where our party split, after the obligatory shot of the kids in the entrance…

After watching the wife and kids disappear into the depths of the cave, my thoughts turned immediately to the air conditioned refreshment stand that was no doubt just a bit of a walk away. Until, that is, Liam grabbed my hand…

I looked down at my little buddy, half curious about the hand grab (he’s at that ‘big boy’ stage where he doesn’t need to hold on to anyone’s hand) and looked into an expression of speechless amazement. Like most three year olds, Liam never really shuts up… but all that was coming from him was whispers of “Daddy” as his eyes grew bigger and bigger looking past me. “It’s magic, Daddy. My Castle.”

I turned, not quite sure what to expect, and saw…

What, to a three year old, truly was a magical place. If you looked at through his eyes, this was every bit of a magical kingdom. What a few moments prior would have been a mundane collection of plants, rocks, and crucifixes was transformed for me into a place where fauns, wizards, and unicorns might walk. For the next two hours, we adventured, we played, we explored. The two older kids took us through the cave, which I discovered was a quarter of a mile of tunnels winding through a hillside.

We battled trolls and dragons. We rescued Princess EiLynn (my daughter) again and again. Sir William valiantly slew the evil monster Dad. For one enchanting afternoon, we lived in a world where the only limits were those of our imaginations. How often in life do we get an opportunity like that? To not be a grown up, to not be ruled, even if for just a bit, by the conventions of everyday life?

My children took me back this afternoon, to a time of purity and naivety. A gift they may only understand years from now, when the circle moves and their children bestow it upon them. But today was every bit as magical for them as it was for me. We all have days we look back on years later…. today was one of those days. And it started by seeing through the eyes of a three year old.