I stalked my back yard, the neighbor kids in tow. We got to the van (a swing set) and embarked on another mission. I was Hannibal. Eric was Face. James was B. A. Baracus. And Drew was Murdock.

We were the A-Team.

I took my part in the fantasy very seriously. I even chomped on my own cigar (a small stick) every time I said, “I love it when a plan comes together!”

When I was a young, I could entertain myself for hours just using my imagination. I constructed fantasy worlds, whether for G.I. Joe’s, Star Wars figurines or Transformers.

I would like to say that my dialogue and endless series of twists and turns were better than those on the TV shows, but I have to remember I was just a child with an incredible imagination.

I wanted to grow up to be a hero, but as the weight of time and responsibility hit, I realized that I wasn’t Hannibal or Duke or Optimus Prime. I was just a guy with a furtive imagination. I guess that’s what fuels my fire these days. If I can’t be a hero, I can at least create one.