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Monday, July 18, 2011

"Look at me."

The week leading up to Valentine's Day, 2001.

Hallmark store, Provo Towne Centre Mall.

My brother reaches for, of all things, a Harry Potter-themed 'retro' metal lunch box.

Examining it in his hands, he explains, "She's really into Harry Potter."

Me: *eyeroll*

"Well, she is. I haven't read them, either, but she seems to really like the books."

I don't remember if he got her the lunchbox.

*****
Late June, 2003; a phone call.

"Hi, Lisa, it's Jenny. I'm wondering if I could borrow the first Harry Potter book from you. ... Nope, I've never read any of them. Monica has long loved them, and I . . . I just want to see."

In truth, I want to read it to prove it all stupid. Give some credence to my ridicule. Then I could give them a message, maybe as a joke, a part of what I write to them in their wedding card: I read the stupid books. They're actually stupid.

*****
August 15, 2003.

I have a different message.

The books? I can't put them down.

I read the first five books in six weeks.

*****
July, 2007.

In the middle of the night, while the rest of my family sleeps, I sit in my bed, shaking with sobs at the revelation of Snape's memories. I always trusted him.

*****
15 July, 2011 -- Friday afternoon.

Cinemark, Provo Towne Centre Mall.

Kacy, Lisa, and I are first into the theater for the 3:55 p.m. showing of the final movie. I had waited in line since 12:30 that afternoon. My back hurts, and I have to go to the bathroom for nearly the entire movie (and it's a long one). But I watch. And I quietly cry. Cry because it's ending, cry because of Snape, cry at Narcissa's motivations, cry because of Fred. And such. I feel disappointed in the lack of battle between Bellatrix and Sister Weasley, but conclude that it can be Our Little Secret, a shared experience for those who have read the books. (My only other disappointment (and it is small) is in Sister Weasley's non-reaction to Professor McGonagall's excitement at being able to dispatch the Suits of Armor.) Overall, I am riveted, melancholy, and satisfied. A very little, I'm embarrassed at being 34 and crying about the Fake Boy Wizard movie.

Only a little.

21 comments:

Jen said...

I cried too--you aren't alone.

Monica said...

He did, and he filled it with Hugs (not Kisses, of course).

I still remember our gift from you at our wedding. You had read all the books in secret (while still giving me a hard time about them :). We haven't seen the last one yet but we can't wait! And I will cry shamelessly (but only because I'm only 30).

Jennifer said...

I also didn't want to like the book when I first started reading it! But it is a favorite in our house now.

I remember going with you to Media Play for the midnight release of one of the books (number 6? I can't remember that detail). Fun times!

Hayley said...

When I picked up the first book in 2001, it was to prove how dumb those books were. 10 years later, I love them. I'm re-reading the whole series right now. I encourage kids to read them & parents, too (as a teacher) - I think they've done amazing things for the love of reading in all generations. I can't stand now when people hate but haven't read. They are truly missing out!!! I loved this post!

~j. said...

Jen - It was actually comforting that each time I've seen it (3 times, now) I could hear other people sniffling in the theater with me.

~j. said...

Monica - if you haven't seen it by the time you come out here? Sure! I'll go with you! Glad you asked!

~j. said...

Heather - Yes. There are many of us. Thank goodness.

~j. said...

Partridge - I remember that, too! Is Media Play even around anymore?

~j. said...

Hayley - I'd imagine that as a teacher your recommendations go far (or, at least, I'd hope they do). One of my kids' teachers was OBSESSED with the HP series: her classroom and rewards system was based around the stories. Now, I like the series, but not everyone does, and I thought that was really odd. Oh! And as for hating without reading? That's why I read the Twilights - hate.

Hayley said...

here's a confession that i hate to admit to: i didn't read twilight til the 3rd one was coming out. i liked the first one, kinda got caught up in the romance of it. shame. so i read the 2nd one & didn't like it. i couldn't even get through the 3rd. and never bothered with the 4th. they're not well written, they are simply yuck. i have to admit to it though, or else i feel like a hypocrite.

kacy faulconer said...

Yes, well. I'm 39.

Lyle said...

I need a spell that freezes time or at least evrything else in my life just long enough for me and the Mrs. to slip away and watch the final chapter on teh big screen.

Hailey said...

You cry because you understand it's not just a story about fake boy wizards! It's about love and sacrifice and mothers and sons and loyalty and good and life after death and more!

I'm so glad we feel the same way...

lisa said...

Ahhh...I love that you love Harry Potter.

And Snape.

Treble Clef ♪ said...

I cried too...

~j. said...

Hayley - Twilight, yuck. Agreed.

~j. said...

LYYYYYYYYYYYYYLE! Where have you been?!? ps, I hope you get to see the movie on teh big screen soon!

~j. said...

Hailey - I miss you. Lots.

~j. said...

lisa - si, muy mucho.

~j. said...

Treble Clef - Oh, thank goodness. I know that if I do something that you do, I'm doing something right.

~j. said...

Kacy - We should talk about this for hours. Really. I know we could, and we'd be good at it.