Overall, I was happy with it. It did good. There were a few points where I felt the original had the upper hand, but it’s hard to match, or even surpass, an original.
A few hours later after seeing it, My brain and emotions were just starting to process what I saw and felt. Obviously, I knew the story going into seeing it, so it was not a surprise. I knew what to expect.
I’ve had this idea bouncing around in my head called “The Lone Tear.”
When you are missing someone who has died, there is this thing I call “The Lone Tear.”
You never know when it will hit.
A random song on the radio, or even a movie you see.
The lone tear can return, and usually does, without warning or any notice.
The Lion King is a lone tear moment.
The circle of life shown visually in the movie, is indeed, representative of the true circle of life we live and experience.
In Ecclesiastes, it is written, For everything there is a season:
The Lion King, like many of my favorite movies, is full of symbolism.
Scar is symbolic for the struggles and challenges in your life.
Scar is cancer, dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease.
Scar is when you lose your job or a relationship ends.
Scar is when someone you love dies.
In the movie, Scar is jealous of his brother Mufasa, and schemes to hurt Mufasa, and his son, Simba, any way he can. He feels entitled and that something stolen from him. In reality, he is the one stealing things from everyone else.
In my world, Scar is cancer and the fear of losing others in my life.
He tries to steal the joy that Mufasa and Simba share as Father and Son.
He tries to disrupt the lives of those who remain after Mufasa dies:
Simba, Simba’s Mother, and the rest of the Pride. You could actually make an argument that all of the Pridelands and the animals therein, were affected by Scar and his Actions.
As in life. The repercussions are largely impactful well beyond just the wife and son of the deceased when someone dies. Simba loses his way. So did I.
Mufasa's advice to his son is:
Look inside yourself, you are more than what you have become.
Remember who you are.
You are my son.
I have read and have stated, “The only known cure for grief...is to GRIEVE.” By working on myself, By grieving, by grabbing and enjoying those little moments that aren’t so little, and by cherishing and enjoying the opportunities and moments life offers me, by living through the bad days instead of fighting them as I usually do..by being me is the best way to honor him.
Rafiki reminds him that his father lives on IN him.
Simba hears his Dad provide some needed advice, and remembers who he is. He reclaims his place in the Circle of Life and states that He is Simba, Son of Mufasa. I am Jeffrey, Son of Alan and Marion.
But, I am so much more.
Like Simba, I am the best living testament to my Dad and Mom, and how they raised me.
Mufasa lives on through Simba.
My Dad lives on through and in me.
When Simba takes his place on Pride Rock, he hears his father say "Remember!"
Today, I took my symbolic place on Pride Rock by giving up my Dad's shirts today so that they can be made into a blanket I will soon be able to use, a blanket made full of memories..and love.
On the days I am struggling, I try to remember and hear my Dad in his own voice, in my head, telling me:
"Don’t worry about the small shit, and it’s all small shit. There is nothing more you could have done. It was my time, Whizzo. I love you and am with you"
I take my own place in life by enjoying life.
Not only because my Dad would want me to.
Not only because I should.
Because I want to survive and thrive.
I ran across this quote recently in a grief group, and it's appropriate to close with here:
"Your parents defined you in so many ways and when faced with decisions their advice and wisdom will wash over you to the point that you can actually relive a memory and hear them helping you to grow into the adult you are now"
Thanks, Dad.
I didn't think I was ready when you left, and I still don't think I would ever would have been, no matter how much time I had.
But you gave me everything I needed to be successful - I just didn't know or realize it.
We must remember who we are.
This was awesome!
ReplyDeleteSo powerful like mining for gold as I read it.
ReplyDelete