Wax figures and wake-up calls

It was a rainy afternoon in London. My son — ten or eleven at the time — was eager to visit Madame Tussaud’s wax museum. I wasn’t feeling it. At all.

He was excited. I was… not so much.

Of course, we went. (Good parenting points, right?)

As I was paying for our tickets, I quietly asked the ticket seller for the shortest way through the museum. (Probably lost a few points on that one.)

We stepped into the elevator. When the doors opened, I braced for wax figures.

Instead? Paparazzi.

 Not real ones, of course — but a life-sized, black-and-white photo mural of flashing cameras and shouting voices. Lights strobed. Speakers shouted: “Over here!” “Look this way!” “Give us a smile!” “How ‘bout a wave?!”

It was loud. It was theatrical. Completely ridiculous. And I loved it.

The reluctant mom who’d been calculating the shortest escape route, suddenly found herself grinning like a fool. I was swept up in the spectacle, the silliness, the sheer joy of it all.

And just like that, I was in the moment.
Not just being a good sport — actually enjoying myself.

My son launched himself into the outstretched hand of the Hulk. Then swung into action with Britney Spears, Elvis, The Beatles, JLo, and more.

Meanwhile, I sidled up to Tom Jones. (swoon)

We were there for hours. It was a blast! And not at all what I expected.

Honestly? I was pickled tink.

Looking back, I’m reminded how easy it is to dismiss joy before it has a chance to arrive.

How we say no — just because it wasn’t our idea, or because we think we already know how it’ll turn out.

But joy doesn’t always knock politely. Sometimes it sneaks in through a wax museum door on a rainy afternoon in London.

It wasn’t just a surprise — it was a reminder.   Life brings surprises.
I’m still someone who loves the ridiculous.
Still someone who can be charmed by a little bit of showbiz.
Still someone who can be surprised — and delighted.

Sometimes rediscovery isn’t profound. Or planned. Sometimes it’s just plain fun.

It took my son’s curiosity to get me there. But I left with a tiny rediscovery of my own: I’m still in there. Still open to joy.

Still learning.

Even if I need a little nudge now and then.

What’s something you said yes to — reluctantly — that ended up surprising you with joy?
I’d love to hear. Please share in the comments.