If you’ve ever dined with children, you’ve probably experienced your share of special games around the table. They might include: “What’s The Most Embarrassing Noise You’ve Ever Made;” “Nickname The Person To Your Right Before They Can Nickname You;” or “Would You Rather Eat Only Brussell Sprouts Or Only Spinach Every Meal For The Rest Of Your Life.”

A personal favorite is: “If You Could Have Any Superpower, What Would It Be?” Really, who does not enjoy debating the relative pros and cons of invisibility, super strength, flight, and stopping time? As every child knows, the winning answer to this question is The Power of All Powers, but to keep it a game you do have to work your way through every power individually before claiming victory.

Adapting this for grownup use, I like to play: “What IS Your Superpower?” with my friends and family.  Sometimes I ask them, and sometimes I just assign them one in my own mind.

For example, I might look at my husband, with his immense powers to remain optimistic and to persevere even through difficult times.  He can be The Optimicon. Or a friend who maintains a superhuman calm that centers her busy, busy household.  She’s like, Eye-O-Storm. Another friend can see into the heart of things, as if she has a form of xray vision. So sometimes, to me, she’s Visior.  Add the people who have mastery over the forces of parallel parking and stain removal, and you have yourself a powerful team.

Yes, it’s just a silly game. But it reminds me to be grateful for the people around me and their amazing gifts. And, when villainous challenges arise, it is a comfort to think of the people in my corner as more than mere mortals.