It all started with a simple question from my son.
“Mom, which Star Wars movies have you watched?”
“I’m not sure,” I replied, feeling a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
“Which ones? One, two, three, four, five, or six?” he pressed.
“Probably just the first one?” I offered hesitantly.
“A New Hope?” he asked eagerly.
“Um, I think so?”
“Have you seen the one where Han Solo gets frozen in carbonite?” he continued.
“I might have?” I responded, trying to recall.
“And Princess Leia saves him and guess who she brings along?” he asked, eyes sparkling with excitement.
“I don’t know,” I admitted.
“GUESS!” he insisted.
“Luke?”
“No! GUESS again. Here’s a hint: he’s big, hairy, and makes a noise like HNEUW HNEUW HNEUW.”
“Chewbacca?”
“Yes! And she also brings R2-D2 and C-3PO!”
“R2D-TOON,” I corrected, feeling a bit sheepish.
“No, really, it’s R2-D2, Mom. No ‘N’ at the end!”
“Alright, if you say so,” I laughed, realizing how far behind I was on this cultural phenomenon.
“Did you see the one where Darth Vader fights the Emperor?” he asked.
“No, I don’t think I have.”
“He does! The Emperor is a Sith!”
“Are Sith bad?”
“Yep! Sith are the villains. Jedi are the heroes!”
I then learned that my older son, Ethan, had seen all ten movies.
“Mom, there are only six!” I exclaimed.
“No! He said he watched number nine!”
“But that doesn’t exist!” I protested.
“Mom! He SAW NUMBER NINE!”
“Okay, okay!”
“Guess who you see in the first movie?” my son continued, “Anakin Skywalker when he’s just one year old. What number?”
“Um, nine?”
“YES! And who does he become?”
“Who?”
“DV!” he hinted.
“Darth Vader?”
“YES!”
“And who else?”
“Um, I don’t know.”
“Guess!”
“Uh…”
“General Grievous!”
“Wow! How did you know?”
“Because you told me yesterday. And the day before. And the day before that.”
This endless cycle of Star Wars conversations began after I reluctantly let my kids see the original trilogy. I had managed to navigate my first 38 years without engaging with the franchise. I vaguely remembered being taken to see Return of the Jedi as a child, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression on me. I thought my disinterest stemmed from being a girl in a household filled with boys who loved spaceships and action. Yet, I soon realized that it was more about my struggle to connect with popular culture.
Throughout my youth, I felt like the odd one out. While my peers obsessively followed pop culture trends, I found solace in different interests. I didn’t care for the music everyone else was raving about. My childhood experiences made me cherish my uniqueness, even if it meant being the only person in my social circle who hadn’t watched Star Wars.
When I finally sat down to watch the films, I hoped to uncover the joy that so many others found in them. I wanted to be part of the collective excitement, to feel that rush of wonder. However, I found the experience underwhelming. Perhaps I was too old or too set in my ways. Despite the films being entertaining, they failed to captivate me. I even found myself checking emails during some scenes and leaving early to run errands.
Nonetheless, I recognized the value of understanding the cultural references that surround the franchise. It provided me with context to appreciate conversations and references in literature and casual discussions, enriching my reading experiences.
As Halloween approached, I considered what costumes my children might wear. The thought of them dressing as Darth Vader, one big and one small, filled me with a sense of joy. It painted a heartwarming picture of our family united in the spirit of the saga, ready to embrace our own version of the universe.
In conclusion, engaging with Star Wars at such a late stage in my life opened doors to new conversations and connections with my children. While it may not have transformed my worldview, it has provided me with a shared experience that both entertains and educates.
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Summary: This article recounts a mother’s first experience watching Star Wars at the age of 38, highlighting her journey of cultural disconnection and eventual engagement with the franchise through her children. It reflects on the significance of shared experiences and the importance of understanding popular culture, while also providing helpful resources for home insemination.