My journey in magic is often mysterious and full of surprises. You might think that I’m talking about the “A-Ha” moments that come from learning new secrets and practicing the skills needed to bring those secrets to life, and yes, you would be right. However, the real mysteries of magic seem to appear, well, out of thin air, when I least expect them. Some backstory is appropriate. For the past couple of months, both of my wife’s parents and my Father have spent time in the hospital, all 3 with pretty serious health issues.  As you might imagine, stress levels have been high. Days became a daze of work, hospital visits, and uncertainty. There has been little time for anything but anxiety - certainly precious little time or focus for magic. We had booked a cruise last summer, and as the date drew near, we really didn’t expect that we would be able to go. The day before boarding, things looked better for all, and we flew to NYC, still wondering if we’d be forced to fly right back the ...