Presence

Ever since my son Ezra (age 6) was born, I have been waiting for the day which turned out to be today: The day I sat down with him for his first viewing of Star Wars.

Star Wars, without question, had the most profound affect on me as a child, more than just about any other thing I was exposed to. Only until Lucas murdered the good name that was Star Wars with the prequels did my feelings for these films become tempered back to the level of near quasi-rationality.

I debated for a long time when would be the right time to introduce Ezra to Star Wars. We do try to minimize the amount of violence he is exposed to, and the original, despite the mutilations it suffered at the hands of it's only-lately self-righteous creator (HAN SHOT FIRST!!!), has a fair bit of death in it. I first saw Star Wars at a much younger age, and recall asking my parents what really happened when a Storm Trooper got shot (my father, to his credit, told me an actor had to die each time). I also debated for a moment whether Ezra should see Star Wars in chronological or historical order (this decision was easily made in less than 10 seconds). All in all, now seemed to be the right time.

Overall, I think he liked it. I'm not sure there was the same level of amazement for him in the sights and sounds that there was for me; he's used to CGI and video games, that weren't around in my day. But I don't think he's ever been exposed to a story so grand, so epic, as Star Wars, and I think that is what he liked.

One thing that couldn't be helped: due to older nephews and other bits and pieces of pop culture that make their way into our home, he is already aware of Darth Vader's true identity. I am not sure, but I think he is still unaware of...sister. We shall see.

It's strange to think about; will this thing, that had such a profound affect on my life, play as significant a role in my son's life? The times have changed, and perhaps what worked for the fathers will not work for the sons. In so many ways I want him to love it as I loved it, to have it open his mind the way it opened mine; and yet I know he is his own person, and while it may not be Star Wars that plays the role, something else may well serve to inspire him in ways both similar and different.