What is my superpower?

Reflections after meeting my favorite superhero. Also, a little about Disney Photo Pass.

Earlier this month, my family visited Disneyland Paris (more to come in a future post comparing multiple visits). Although our third visit in the last two years, it was our first time meeting my favorite superhero.

Travel Tip: A helpful Disney tool is the Photo Pass. We have purchased it when booking our hotel and park tickets; I don’t know if you can wait to purchase until check in. (If you know, please share the info!)

Regardless, here’s how it works (at least in our experience): you receive a card with a bar code and ID number. Some of the rides take your photo during your adventure. Other photo opportunities include character meets. When visiting Disney World Orlando in 2021, we got several castle pictures.

On this visit, we were walking between rides and saw two seemingly random queues (but at Disney, a queue is rarely random!). I saw the unmistakable red bodysuit and knew I’d chosen the right shirt that morning.

Mrs. Incredible looked at the photo-taking cast members with such delight when she noticed my shirt.

During the character photo opportunities, there is usually a Disney cast member taking photos to load on the Photo Pass and another managing the line and sometimes taking additional photographs with the guest’s phone. As I walked up to Mrs. Incredible, she silently and enthusiastically gestured from her suit to my shirt; we were both excited by my choice. The cast member managing everything asked me, “What’s your superpower?” as she started taking photographs. After thinking for just a few seconds, I said “Patience.” Mrs. Incredible pointed from my eyes to hers and back a couple of times in the universal gesture for “I see you.”

Why did I say that?

I have many talents, but patience is unfortunately not one of them. That’s why I especially admire it in others, such as my children’s teachers.

I think in that moment of mom superhero bonding, I revealed what superpower I wished I possessed.

I walked away feeling a little like I’d bonded under false pretenses. I shoved those thoughts aside and focused on being grateful to have finally met my favorite superhero instead of just the ones my husband and kids prefer.

But I’m thinking about it again. Rather than being disappointed in myself for not being more patient, I choose to reflect on the superpowers I do have:

• I am a sturdy leader for my family. When I make mistakes, I own up and repair. When my children struggle, I support them without dismissing their feelings.

• I have helped (with teamwork from my children’s teachers and librarians) foster a love of reading and books in my children.

• I can use written words to convey my thoughts and emotions.

• I have maintained friendships with people I’ve known since infancy and added (and kept) friends at various stages of life since.

• I build community at an international school.

What are your superpowers? We all have them!