Monday, August 15, 2016

The Little Prince

I put this movie "The Little Prince" on for the kids on Netflix the other day and I thought it was a great story. One of the best kid movies I've seen in a long time. At the end of the movie, Eliana said "Daddy's crying," and Evan said "No he's not!" But the truth is, I was. I'm not entirely sure if the old man telling the story to the little girl was actually telling a story about himself and how he lost touch with the little boy inside him, but that's how I interpreted it. I think the trauma I experienced after 9/11 was the catalyst and everything else that happened in-between made me lose touch with the little boy inside of me. Growing up, I always had a vivid imagination, always played, always was creating, building, drawing, playing music, daydreaming, and just generally a happy kid. I see that now in Evan and Eliana. But for me, somewhere along the way, I completely lost touch with that part of me and I didn't even realize it until I saw this movie. I don't know what it is, maybe this is just what happens when you get older. Maybe it's the stress of a nasty divorce and all that's happened over the past few years. I don't know. For the last couple of years, I have had trouble playing with the kids and I hate that fact. It's not how I thought I would be as a father. It's hard for me to let go or reality for a few minutes and just "play" or "pretend." I'm so consumed with bills and making rent that I've completely forgotten how to take the time to have quality playtime with my kids. I'm not saying I don't play with them, because I absolutely do. I just remember how I was as a kid and how I thought I would be as a father are two different things. They're growing so fast that in a few years they won't want to play anymore. They'll want to hang out with their friends and I'll have missed out.  I wish I could get in touch with the kid in me, because I think the kids would really love it. 

Anyway, the movie is really great. 

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I'm sure before starting the movie you wouldn't have thought it would lead to reflection. Sometimes it's the little things that bring out so much. After reading your blogs I do believe though you're far more "childlike" than you're giving yourself credit for. Your children are very lucky to have a father who adores them like you do. Cherish each and every memory you make with them, it's those that will always leave you inspired.
It's so easy to be consumed with the "chaos" of life that many are left wishing they had done so many things differently. It's beautiful to read that someone knows that each and every moment is one we should never take for granted.