I have started to lift my strict no screen time policy and allowing my daughter to watch movies. So far our favorites are Finding Nemo and ToyStory3. I am have owned Finding Nemo but it is still able to bring a tear to my as the father fish learns to embrace adventure while allowing his son independence. Recently watching ToyStory3 I start bawling like a little baby. If you remember, ToyStory is about the relationship between a young boy and his toys that in fact are alive when no human is looking. There are always struggles for the toys questioning their importance to a maturing child. The storyline for the third squeal is the young boy, Andy, has grown up ready to leave for college. Woody, the drawstring cowboy, is chosen as an old momento to travel with Andy. All the other toys are intended for storage in the attic. Through a series of events all of Andy's toys, including Woody, are awarded into the hands of a very imaginative young girl who is elated by the generous gift. Once more the toys receive a generation of play.
As my daughter is watching the movie tears stream down her mother's cheeks. I remember the dolls I once played with are now in my daughter's care. Dolls my mother kept stored in the attic. Maybe I am sad because I grew up too fast. Maybe I am joyful about the toys second chance. Maybe I am crying because I feel sorry for all the abandon forgotten toys. Or maybe I am emotional because once again I am reminded how quickly time passes and before long my daughter will outgrow her toys.
Then I am introduced to the movie Inside Out, a Pixar production, about the emotions in control of the brain, focusing on the development of one little girl who undergoes a life change. The emotions, as individual characters, are responsible for the girl's reaction. So sweet and innocent with a loving family the little girl, Riley, has a joyful attitude about life. But in life there are hurdles challenging us to either overcome or be controlled by anger or fear or enmity.
There is a montage of Riley growing from birth to age 11 reacting with the different emotions activated. I am haunted by how many similarities I see in my daughter, Lucy. I watch captivated wanting to know how Lucy, I mean Riley, will resolve the conflict. I want to cover her in protection shielding her from the hurt and the sadness. However, the movies message is: we will experience sad moments, but in sadness joy can become all the richer when resolution is met. We should not be afraid to feel emotions, but it is unhealthy to dwell in anger or sorrow or apathy. I cannot manipulate every aspect of my daughter's life. I cannot protect her from all adversities.
These movies are personal reminders Lucy is growing older. She will not always be child-like and there is nothing I can do to reverse or freeze time. My daughter is beautiful growing and changing every day. Each day Lucy is traveling closer to womanhood. Every day I am able to treasure Lucy's uniqueness as she discovers the world. I constantly need to remind myself, though I have control of my parenting, Lucy is not a robot ready to perform exactly as I expect. She requires love and encouragement. Discipline and rules are essential. Independence and discovery are crucial for her development. I should not be timorous of loosing my little girl, but excited about the person she is becoming. I am thrilled by her achievements and proud of her intelligence. Becoming an adult is inevitable. It is up to me to record her progress and cherish the memories. I love her so very much.
And as a little blue fish once said, "Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming." -Dori
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