Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Horton hears

Daddy-daughter date. I took Silvi to see Horton Hears a Who last night and we actually made it through 90% of a movie before racing for the bathroom. I was enjoying the film, an unexpected pleasure, but couldn't talk Silvi into returning for the final 10-minutes. I had promised a visit to the playground afterwards, and, well, Horton can fend for himself when there's a new slide to conquer.

We sat in the same row with two guys who were in their late teens. I kept thinking that it was weird for a couple of older guys to choose this film until I realized that one of them had Down syndrome. I don't know if the other guy was his brother or a caregiver, but I couldn't help thinking about Silvi being in his place when Ian grows up.

To tell the truth, it angered me. I was angry that Silvi won't be able to share films with Ian that are more age appropriate. Won't be able to share in the subtleties and nuance of character development and the richness of intricate plots.

Horton heard a Who, Silvi had to poo and daddy sulked "Boo, hoo."

8 comments:

Leah Spring said...

Don't sell Ian short. You just don't KNOW what he will like as a teen. Angela loves all the same things the other girls her age do, but she's also game for the "younger" stuff if someone lets her. When you were a teenager, did you ever babysit? Did you love the chance to drop your guard and play with the little kid toys that you didn't have when you were little? Angela listens to 12 year old music, watches 12 year old shows, etc. But, when we walk into something like a church nursery and all the toddler toys, she's not too shy to go play with them and ENJOY them. The other girls her age would like to do the same, but they're busy worrying about how uncool they would look. I, for one, love taking Angela to the kids movies, because it gives me the excuse to see them. If I didn't have a kid I'd have to borrow one from somebody so I wouldn't look silly in the theater. I bet a lot of parents/caregivers feel the same way. But I can see Angela as a teen, and I have no doubt she'll like the same movies her peers do, but at the same time SHE won't feel silly about seeing a kids movie just for the fun of it!

Jeffrey Goble said...

I've noticed, lately, that when Emma's in the room when movie violence is on - we were watching the latest "Die Hard" movie - that she finds it all hysterical - she laughs, not understanding at all what's going on. It's absurd to her.
Who is the 'superior' being? I'm not completely sure.
I'm just saying. I'm not Pollyanna (and I'm old enough to have read "Pollyanna"). I understand the anger, you betcha. I just challenge you (as I try to challenge myself) to see that, sometimes, there are gains that often offset losses.
If that makes an iota of sense.
Tom went Boo-Hoo, while hearing a Who.
Saw into the future, and thought it was true.
He didn't realize that it would all be too new.
It would all be the who, and the view, for the few, not the do.
;^)>

Anonymous said...

you have to go back and see the end. or watch it when it comes on dvd. joe and i took the boys and we -all- loved it. i would gladly watch it again and it is one of the few movies we may actually purchase (loving Amazon Unbox for the one-off viewings!). i did not know the story beforehand and joe and i discussed the message of it a lot. very pertinent, i'd say.

beans said...

It's funny-I take my bro out to movies- and the year Rent came out he was visiting with me and I HAD to see it the day it came out--though I was worried about that movie and him-->not realy what I want him to go reporting to people I let him see, but he is 37 after all . . .but he didn't get most of it, and commented at the end that he loved the music-- and you know what-I love the music in Rent as well, so even though he couldn't understand (at least I would imagine he didn't understand the plot) we were still able to enjoy the music together. It is different, but the time together are what makes it special-and you find a way to adapt to make it meaningful for both involved.

Glad you had some daddy and Silvi time!

Nick McGivney said...

I wanted to be all clever and stuff about differing expectations but it looks like I've been beaten to the punch by smarter folks, Tom. What Silvi and Ian will share is actually a closed book to you, as it should be. Don't stoke yourself because that's pretty much ditto for any relationship. But I do understand the getting cheesed off part. I'm slowly learning that my own anger is a blunt force trauma to my own head. Doing something about it is an altogether different tin of sardines though.

Hmm. Cheese, sardines... what other nasal delights can this stinker of a post conjure up? At least you got to see 90% of Horton's trippy movie. My other half had the pleasure of that one with our eldest man. Boo hoo me too.

Anonymous said...

This was uplifting Tom. i wish you and your family happiness and peace. I have no doubts now each child that comes through is a blessing from God and we are no one to judge. Forgive me if I have hurt your sentiments unknowingly. Maybe this was God's way to tell me where I was wrong. This is an amazing blog I shall often visit and enjoy the wonderful posts. Take care and my love to your kids.

Anonymous said...

i still love horton
hears a WHO!
and guess what?
i am forty TWO!

Anonymous said...

I watch you pigeon-hole your son all the GD time. You need to let the poor kid become the person he is going to be and not the person you have made up in your mind.

Instead of sitting around all day daydreaming up this crap about him you might start to spend a little quality time with him and get to know the little guy.

As for your daughter, I bet she will have more love for him than you can imagine. She is not going to let her ego get in the way of loving him. You shouldn't either.