Memories Of Star Wars
One of the VERY few good memories I have of my dad is him taking me to see The Empire Strikes Back. My dad, his second wife, and I all went to the movies and she decided she wanted to go see The Blue Lagoon instead, so it was just me and my dad. I don't really remember seeing the movie or anything like that, and I don't remember any actual conversation that went on with him. I don't remember if I begged for popcorn or a soda. What I do remember was just being very happy, and very excited about going.
On Saturday, my husband and I took his 2 boys to see Revenge Of The Sith. We got there early, for a change (my husband is a notorious procrastinator when it comes to going to movies. Sorry honey, but it's true :P), and had some time to kill. Gary dug out some quarters from his pocket and the boys (him included) went off in three different directions to play video games. Alex played Off Road (and whoever played it after him got a nice surprise because he wasn't able to finish his game), Ryan played X-Men (and was soon standing beside Alex spinning one of the steering wheels wildly while Alex kept playing), and Gary played Ms. Pacman ("This is the best I've ever done on this game." But he too soon joined Alex and Ryan while watching Alex play). Meanwhile, I wandered between the three of them, reminding them of the time, and watching as they reveled in the glory that is movie theater lobby video game joy.
When it was finally time to go into the theater, we all filed through the 'check-point', at which time Alex started to run down the hallway, followed closely by Ryan, huge grins on both of their faces. We were able to find 4 seats together, although not optimum location, and sat down. Then I guess the munchies (or something) hit and the three of them filed back out of the theater in search of much needed movie theater sticky, gooey, salty, carbonated goodness. I, in turn, tried to fend off the obviously glaring stares of people as they walked by me and my 3 empty seats trying to find placement of their own.
The previews started, the lights got dimmer, still no boys.
The first preview ended (War Of The Worlds) and I saw Alex running up the aisle. I stood up, trying not to be in the way of people behind me, then sat back down. Gary and Ryan soon followed and we were all seated and ready to be excited, stunned, happy, and (hopefully) satisfied.
When the music swelled, and the main title appeared on the screen, part of me expected the theater to erupt in some sort of 'spontaneous' burst of applause, or at least some polite golf clapping. Part of that part wanted it to. But everyone remained quiet, maybe stunned into silence as they read the prologue, maybe trying to find their Goobers, maybe trying to figure out what they had stepped in. I don't know. But I was as lost as everyone else in that theater at 11:45am on a windy, sunny Saturday.
I forgot that I was there with my family (until I was reminded half way through when Alex had to pee. Gotta love aisle seats and 12 year old sized bladders), I forgot that I was 33 years old. I forgot that I had rent to pay, and bills to try to avoid and a job to go back to on Monday.
For that brief period, I was a little girl again, sitting in a darkened theater with my daddy watching the.best.movie.ever and loving every minute of it. I hope that someday when the boys think back on the times that they spent with us, they will remember that day, going to the.best.movie.ever and be happy.
On Saturday, my husband and I took his 2 boys to see Revenge Of The Sith. We got there early, for a change (my husband is a notorious procrastinator when it comes to going to movies. Sorry honey, but it's true :P), and had some time to kill. Gary dug out some quarters from his pocket and the boys (him included) went off in three different directions to play video games. Alex played Off Road (and whoever played it after him got a nice surprise because he wasn't able to finish his game), Ryan played X-Men (and was soon standing beside Alex spinning one of the steering wheels wildly while Alex kept playing), and Gary played Ms. Pacman ("This is the best I've ever done on this game." But he too soon joined Alex and Ryan while watching Alex play). Meanwhile, I wandered between the three of them, reminding them of the time, and watching as they reveled in the glory that is movie theater lobby video game joy.
When it was finally time to go into the theater, we all filed through the 'check-point', at which time Alex started to run down the hallway, followed closely by Ryan, huge grins on both of their faces. We were able to find 4 seats together, although not optimum location, and sat down. Then I guess the munchies (or something) hit and the three of them filed back out of the theater in search of much needed movie theater sticky, gooey, salty, carbonated goodness. I, in turn, tried to fend off the obviously glaring stares of people as they walked by me and my 3 empty seats trying to find placement of their own.
The previews started, the lights got dimmer, still no boys.
The first preview ended (War Of The Worlds) and I saw Alex running up the aisle. I stood up, trying not to be in the way of people behind me, then sat back down. Gary and Ryan soon followed and we were all seated and ready to be excited, stunned, happy, and (hopefully) satisfied.
When the music swelled, and the main title appeared on the screen, part of me expected the theater to erupt in some sort of 'spontaneous' burst of applause, or at least some polite golf clapping. Part of that part wanted it to. But everyone remained quiet, maybe stunned into silence as they read the prologue, maybe trying to find their Goobers, maybe trying to figure out what they had stepped in. I don't know. But I was as lost as everyone else in that theater at 11:45am on a windy, sunny Saturday.
I forgot that I was there with my family (until I was reminded half way through when Alex had to pee. Gotta love aisle seats and 12 year old sized bladders), I forgot that I was 33 years old. I forgot that I had rent to pay, and bills to try to avoid and a job to go back to on Monday.
For that brief period, I was a little girl again, sitting in a darkened theater with my daddy watching the.best.movie.ever and loving every minute of it. I hope that someday when the boys think back on the times that they spent with us, they will remember that day, going to the.best.movie.ever and be happy.