What if moving wasn't about packing boxes, but packing magic? Jackson sat on his bedroom floor in Fort Worth, a mountain of boxes around him. His robot arms whirred as he tried to pick up a stuffed dragon.
"Don't worry, Sparky," Jackson said to the dragon. "Our new house will be an adventure! Maybe even like the Robot Planet!" The Robot Planet was Jackson's secret hideout, a place he imagined filled with friendly robots and rocket ships.
Suddenly, a soft meow interrupted him. It was Yuna, his furry black cat, her green eyes glowing in the dim light. Yuna was 54 years old, at least in cat years, and Jackson was sure she knew a whole lot of magic.
"Do you think our new house will have ghosts, Yuna?" Jackson whispered. He loved a good mystery, even a slightly spooky one.
That night, Jackson dreamt of witches flying on broomsticks made of mops and ghosts playing tag in the moonlight. The next day, while exploring the playground near their new house, he saw her: a woman with a pointy hat and a mischievous smile, pushing a little girl on a swing. Could she be a real witch?
Jackson, holding Sparky tight, walked up to the woman. "Excuse me," he said, "are you a witch?"
The woman laughed, a sound like wind chimes. "Some days I feel like one, especially when I make my magic soup!"
Jackson's eyes widened. "Magic soup?"
The woman winked. "It's how I make moving fun! This soup helps you remember all the good things about your old home and find new good things in your new one."
Excited, Jackson told her all about his worries about moving. The witch listened patiently, then said, "Every new place is an adventure waiting to be discovered. Look around, little one."
She pointed towards the playground. Children were laughing, swinging so high it seemed like they could touch the clouds. A friendly game of tag was going on, and the air smelled like popcorn and sunshine.
Jackson took a deep breath. He hadn't noticed how bright the sun was, or how happy everyone looked. Maybe moving wouldn't be so bad after all.
The witch gave him a warm smile. "Remember, home is wherever your heart is. And your heart carries all the memories and love from every place you've ever been."
As Jackson swung on the swings, higher and higher, he thought about what the witch said. He thought about his old home in Fort Worth and all the fun he had there. But he also thought about all the new adventures waiting for him in this new place.
He raced down the slide, laughing, and saw Yuna batting at a butterfly. Even Yuna seemed to like their new home.
That night, Jackson unpacked Sparky in his new room. He missed his old house, but he knew a part of it would always be with him. As he drifted off to sleep, he decided he liked the witch’s magic soup recipe. Moving wasn't about leaving behind, it was about carrying your home with you, in your heart, ready for a new adventure. And who knew? Maybe he’d even find some more magic along the way.
