Back in 2001, I went to see The Fellowship of the Ring on
opening day, December 19. That was the day after my son’s 1st
birthday. I’ve seen every LOTR/Hobbit movie since then, and as he got older, my
son has seen them too. I have two younger girls who are easily spooked, so
maybe not quite yet for them. Last night on my son’s 14th birthday I
saw the latest and presumably last of the Middle Earth saga, The Hobbit: The
Battle of the Five Armies.
There was nothing unexpected (OK, some *minor* unexpected
things – no spoilers here) as it wrapped up the Hobbit, and my wife and I asked
each other, as we do after every movie, “So?” My immediate reaction was that I
liked it, but I didn’t feel the emotion with this one as I did when Return of
the King ended. I still tear up at “You bow to no one”. As I’ve been thinking
about it through the night and into today, I still like it, but I didn’t love
it. I LOVE the first trilogy – every so often the Extended Editions come off
the shelf and the weekend’s viewing is set. The Hobbit trilogy is one that I’ve
liked but don’t think I’ll return to as often.
After 13 years, two more kids, divorce, moving back to my
old hometown area, remarriage and the assorted life changes that come with all
of those things, I feel safe to say that I have been on my own adventure. There
were times – a lot of times – that I simply wanted to stop. Times when I thought
I couldn’t push on any further. Other times, I couldn’t WAIT to see what was around
the next corner of my life. I sometimes feel I’ve led a very LOTR life, albeit
with less swords and wizardry. I’ve been thrust out of my comfort zone a number
of times and while I didn’t have a Ring of Power on my person, it sometimes
felt difficult to go on. But as I did, I was able to grow. I lost some old
friends and family, gained new of both, and came to a clearer understanding of
just who I am. I still haven’t
discovered everything, but I know that from the time the first minutes of
Fellowship of the Ring unfolded until the end credits rolled on Five Armies, I’m
a different man. I’m not in the same part of the Shire as I was when I first
started, but it’s still my corner of Hobbiton.
I started this essay thinking about my son’s birthday,
watching him grow into an extraordinary young man. Here at the end, I find
myself thinking about the journey that I’ve been on at the same time. I’m Bilbo
to his Frodo, I think. But he’s not yet ready to head out that door, and there
are still a few roads that go ever on that I’m keen to explore.
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