Bits of Whitdom

Enjoying the View

It's May 19th.

Not a wedding anniversary. No birthdays at our house. Not the last day of school.
Yet, it is probably one of the most significant days in the life of our 6-year-old.

May 19th. Theatrical release date for Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.
This is the day that we have had marked on the calendar for months...the catalyst for learning the power of "CountDown" and counting backwards. The benchmark by which all other things have been timed for the last few weeks.

He went to bed last night...and not even the Force could allow him to see the final installment, as it wasn't in theaters, and even a six-year-old could grasp the concept of it not having hit the big screen yet. Little did I know that there was a reason behind that peaceful night-night time. He awoke this morning, convinced that he would be missing school in order to be one of the first to see it today.

Shattered.

His little world was completely shattered when I explained that our tickets are for Sunday. That he would not be missing school today to see a movie. (He has perfect attendance, after all, which is a feat considering all the weekend malladies we've had...but have been spared illness or injury M-F for an entire school year.) Anyway, somehow he had wrapped it around his little sweet brain that all the rest of the world would fall away today and that he would be among the throngs of people going to see Star Wars on opening day. (You have to admit, this is a kid who goes full throttle!)

After the tears...and some mommy hugs...and assurance that we do, in fact, already have tickets for Sunday, we got dressed and made our way to school. Once he was there, my husband and I took out the "VADER" poster we had gotten him and hung it above his bed. Just a little token to remind him that what is important to him is important to us. (My husband even commented that he might have to get one of those posters for his office...a show of solidarity, of course.)

As I have passed my son's room today and glanced at the poster...and the Millenium Falcon...and the Darth Vader helmet with the voice changer...and the Tie Fighter...and the light sabers...and all the other Star Wars toys that delight him...(and the Annakin Skywalker costume that he puts on each night as we mark one more day off the calendar...) I smile because while he is big enough to know what is going on, he is young enough to be completely immersed in the dream and drama of fanaticism.

No one has told him yet that he will become preoccupied with the bills.
Getting to bed early so he can go to work the next day.
That good and evil in the world isn't as obvious as the color of the light saber.
That Han Solos don't always show up, and not everyone will have an Obe Won Kenobi to mentor them.
That laundry will pile up if he doesn't do it.
That payday is the difference between doing something now and later.
That fantasies are for kids...

Nope, for now, he gets to completely immerse himself in the delight of his little world. The completion of the Star Wars franchise. The completion of the story. He gets to put the missing puzzle piece in his storyline.

And as I watch his unbridled joy and excitement...
I find myself experience unbridled joy while I simply enjoy the view.

And then I go back to put in another load of laundry.

posted by Whitney @ 8:51 AM