I love my parents, and living so far from them can be very hard on a daily basis. It makes you think about all the little things and the old routines that you used to do and then you realize how much you had taken them for granted.
Today I was just doing the usual routine and I stopped for a second and I began to think. I thought back to how, when I needed a moment to smile and be happy, I could always count on my mom and dad to be there for me. Now that I'm on the other side of the country I find myself longing for those childhood moments more and more as time goes by. At this point I am feeling so nostalgic for those moments and those feelings that I would like to give you a brief look into my past and the fond memories I have of my family and movie time.
Movie time has been a happy memory for me with both of my parents. Watching them as a family was so peaceful, but I would also watch different types of movies with each of my parents one-on-one depending on the genre in question. Action, Stupid Humor, Old School, Adventure, Historical, Gore, Comedy, Black and White, Religious and the like with my dad (whom I call Pooch), and with my mom (lovingly dubbed Woman) I would watch RomComs (Romantic Comedies), Love Stories, The Thin Man Series (:->), Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan (Yes, they have their own category...), Children's, Black and White, Religious, Motivational, Moral, Drama, Adventure, Comedy, Disney/Pixar, etc.
For a good laugh I always knew that I could rely on my dad to find the stupid humor movies and/or shows like Ren and Stimpy, Family Guy, American Dad, anything Jim Carrey, as well as any other kinds of things that would get my mom to shake her head and say our names in quite the disapproving tone. One of our favorite old time movies that we liked to watch together was the world famous, Peter O'Toole classic: Lawrence of Arabia. That movie sparked so many intellectual conversations over the years and made me a fan of not only O'Toole, but other greats such as Omar Sharif, Alec Guinness, and Anthony Quinn. Another favorite was *I am not an animal! I'm Spartacus!!!* Spartacus was such a powerful piece of filmography and I will forever embrace the passion portrayed by Kirk Douglas, Jean Simmons, and Laurence Olivier. The religious notations embedded in the story line made the ending so ripe with emotions for my family. They just don't make movies like they used to, and it's honestly quite sad...
My mom would always ask me if I wanted to watch a movie but say she didn't mind which one it was, as long as it wasn't all bloody and gory. Her favorite part of us watching a movie together was the fact that it was mommy-daughter time. The Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks movies were so near and dear to us that they became a part of our daily innuendos and comparisons. They provided us with a form of an escape from the stresses of life. Another big hit that was regularly referenced was Shirley Valentine... oh what memories I have of that movie and the dozens of times we have watched it! Pauline Collins was so bright and bold and watching her character learn that to define oneself was to live a life of their own choosing, was a brilliant experience that I will always cherish.
Needless to say, my parents have given me gifts that are immeasurable and I will forever be grateful. I love you both so very much and thank you for making my life so wonderful!!! I am so blessed; thank you God for giving my such a wonderful family! <3
