“In the Realm of Childhood Ghosts” takes us on a bizarre journey back in time to relive some of the most carefree moments of our childhood; but we are not traveling alone. While we stand here as adults, trying to navigate this world full of responsibilities we may or may not have asked for, forging ahead through swamps of sensory inundation and situations beyond our control, we’re constantly given advice by friends, family, “experts,” and social media to try and cure boredom, disappointment, and stagnation. Some tell us to “return to a state of childlike wonder,” so I tried it out, and while many of those moments were so beautiful in their newness and innocence, the darkness of other moments creeped in. No life is devoid of pain, fear, confusion, terror, or heartbreak and as children all of this is handed to us, we ask for and cause none of it. So, as we’re told by some who would freely tell others to live our lives with childlike wonder, I can’t help but think about how out of touch that sentiment actually is. Many, if not most, childhoods were complicated, painful, and scary, with “wonder” as an innate product of simply being a new human being. As adults, no longer new, we can’t expect to live a life devoid of darkness because, in fact, we never have. Let’s not try to escape the dark moments, but instead recognize and make peace with them, because they will always be there, along with us for the ride.