“We will all be challenged. Our trust … Our faith … Our friendships, but we must persevere.” -Obi-Wan Kenobi
Not ALL holidays are special. Sometimes they can be painful memories of what “once was” or even a bowl full of hard candy “might-have-beens.” In light of the holiday season, there are quite a few to choose from this time of year; each one adding a special element to its cultural traditions in order to bring loved ones closer together in a spiritual celebration. At least, I believe that’s the whole point, right? As for me, that holiday would be Christmas and, let me just say, not every Christmas is one to remember.
Pivotal Moments
We all have them, life changing events or pivotal moments, and they are the crucial elements to our life’s journey. Maybe that’s why Star Wars has always been a guiding force throughout mine, like an imaginary friend; always there…ready, willing, and able at a moment’s notice. As I’ve said before, I’d be lost without it.
Although Star Wars is “just a movie” (my husband’s words, not mine), it does contain real-life relatable attributes throughout the saga. Besides redemption and compassion (among the many), there’s also the hard-core life-lesson known as “life’s not fair.” And, well, sometimes bad things happen and only we can right the wrongs that come our way. For the paths we choose pave our destinies. There are countless scenarios that are played out, again and again, among our band of heroes. One example of this is in A NEW HOPE, when Leia offers words of comfort to Luke as Han flees the Rebel Alliance in order to settle his outstanding debts to the ruthless Jabba the Hutt.
“He must choose his own path; no one can choose it for him.” –Leia
Sometimes the ones we are closest to are the ones that hurt us the most, but we must persevere. Easier said than done, but we must have hope. Sometimes such beliefs feel so immensely unattainable or … next to impossible. When we’re young, we think we are indestructible or invincible, but there comes a time when the child must set aside childish ways and become an adult. It’s a moment of loss or a feeling of being lost …
Twenty years ago, I was the same age as Luke in A New Hope and Anakin in Attack of the Clones. And like them, I got my first real taste of what it meant to emotionally suffer. Yes, it was exactly one week away from Christmas and my heart was so full of hope, trust, and love. I was so sure it was going to be the best Christmas ever. See, my fiancé and I were set to be married in the new year; October 5th, 1995. Instead, I got the shock of a lifetime … he called it off, all of it. Even now, twenty years later, I remember that sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach and my mother’s arms wrapped tightly around me as I sobbed uncontrollably on our kitchen floor. I guess you could say I had quite the flair for dramatics back then.
Consequently, his decision set off a domino effect and, ultimately, others suffered as well. See when you’re young, you don’t realize what you do can easily effect others. Our relationship wasn’t just about “us,” it actually involved two whole families and lots of close friends. Much like Anakin and Luke, they didn’t suffer alone. In fact, all that they endured affected the galaxy as well. As Luke lost his Aunt and Uncle, he chose to join Obi-Wan in an idealistic foolish crusade against the Empire. When Anakin lost his mother, he allowed his anger to fuel his emotions, taking his revenge and avenging her untimely death. No, my pain was nowhere near the depths of theirs, but I did go through a grieving process that ultimately changed my perception of love altogether. Not entirely for the better.
…maybe I’ll count the stars until dawn…Me, I will go on. –Dolly Parton (Hard Candy Christmas)
Whatever it is you celebrate this holiday season, I hope you find peace and love among all those you hold dear. For truly, there is no greater gift than that of friendship, love, and of hope for a better tomorrow.
With that, I dedicate this musing to a very special force in my life … thank you for being my confidant in the midst of all my inner darkness as of late. I honestly don’t know where I’d be without you.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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