I sit at home typing out this article while some of my friends are currently in the movie theater watching Star Wars: The Force Awakens. My tickets are for tomorrow night. My movie will get out about this time tomorrow night.
I wanted to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens today. I desperately wanted to see it Thursday. But life has a way of preventing us from always doing what we want to do. My 14-year-old daughter is a cheerleader and she had to cheer tonight for a game. I will see it with her tomorrow night, which is still technically opening night.
Honestly, I have waited 32 years for this movie. One more night won’t kill me. Yet, I feel giddy just thinking about seeing this sequel to Return of the Jedi.
I was six years old, almost seven, when I first saw Stars Wars (now known as Star Wars: A New Hope) in 1977. This movie changed my childhood. Star Wars changed what I played, how I played, and with whom I played.
Star Wars broke down barriers and developed friendships. I wasn’t a popular child. In fact, I was a very unpopular kid. But I developed friendship with several other kids through playing with Star Wars action figures and role-playing. Many of those friendships still exist today.
Each movie gave me a sense of euphoria. Two hours of a slice of heaven. It was similar to excited and magic of Christmas. I cannot explain it but I know the feeling.
My anticipation for Star Wars: The Force Awakens takes me back to 1977, 1980, and 1983. My parents used the original trilogy to keep me behaving. I was excited for the Prequels but nothing like I am for this movie. It is a freaking sequel to Return of the Jedi. Thirty-Four years of waiting but I finally get to see a sequel to Return. I can hardly wait.
For my friends watching Star Wars tonight, talk to me tomorrow night or Saturday about the movie. I know I will want to talk but don’t want to spoil it.
I so want to feel that same sense of euphoria I did as a kid in 1977. Here is to hoping and anticipating for another 19 hours.
Stay Geeky My Friends!
