Avengers: Endgame opened in theaters across the world. Does it live up to the hype? I’ve seen it and I believe even the most fickle fans will enjoy this movie. But what struck an emotional chord for this viewer aside from the astounding visual theatrics were the personal stories. The ties that bind us all together remain deeply rooted in the idea of family.
Family
Finding Zen in a bowl of Cereal
As long as I’ve been inhabiting this little blue planet, I’ve loved eating cereal. It nourishes me without requiring focus. I’m free to wander in thought. When I return from my mind’s journey the bowl’s empty yet I feel complete. As a Dad, I see this existential pattern forming with my children. They too will experience finding Zen in a bowl of cereal.
Turning off the Noise of a Presidential Election Year
It’s hard to escape the mayhem of this year’s Presidential Election. There’s no corner of the digital media space that hasn’t let politics creep into their news cycle. After all, focusing on partisan hijinks helps drive up viewership and revenue. In addition, the candidates inadvertently create “newsworthy” content for free – too tempting to ignore for most media outlets. Families looking to avoid the stress and anxiety attributed to a lengthy, derisive, and emotionally charged Presidential election have their work cut out for them. Yet, hope springs eternal.
Remembering Our Humanity
We string our lives together based on seemingly unrelated moments in time. I vividly remember being 3 years old in full meltdown mode squirming in the arms of my aunt while I clung to an open bag of Cheez Doodles as it emptied out in slow motion like an avalanche onto the floor below. Or the time my mother smiled as she wept silent tears when my brother and I, ages 9 and 6 respectively, decided it’d be great fun to repeatedly mess up her hair. Of course I also recollect numerous happy moments as well but it seems as though the poignant memories remain firmly ingrained forever. So too the deeply resonating memory of September 11, 2001. From the routine to the obscure, we are collectively reminded of our humanity as we introspectively trace the events of that fateful day.
Becoming a Gardener
As I look around the room in my suburban home, I see evidence aplenty of young children. Teeming mountains of toys, books and crafts have laid claim to much of the available surface area. Even my own work space has transformed into a post adventure holding station. LIke a flourishing garden, family life has taken root here including its growing challenges.
Try Not to Blink
We walked past a few pretty flowers today. My nearly two year old daughter gleefully determined the size, shape and color of this floral display. I smiled in amazement of how quickly she’d developed this perception from just a month ago. The visual connections were evident to her before but now she could verbalize them. This captivation with nature quickly gave way to a desire to run. Her curly blonde hair bounced in tandem with a playful gallop. My daughter’s passage from baby to toddler had arrived.