Today is May 4..
“Star Wars Day.” (“May the ‘4th’ be with you”)
It’s typically a big deal around here, as one of my kids has always been a HUGE Star Wars fanatic.
…but not this year, and it’s pulling on my heart strings a bit.
You see, growing up, Jonny was ALL ABOUT anything related to Star Wars.
Since he was 4 years old, he has had a stuffed Darth Vader “Darthy” that has gone with him everywhere.
He was one of those kids who wanted to see the new releases on opening day, at the earliest possible showing.
His entire room was filled with Star Wars memorabilia.
Most his wardrobe featured characters from the decades-old franchise and he would dress up as a Star Wars character every year for Halloween.
One morning, Jonny asked me to go to the store with him at 6am, just to bring home “The Force Awakens” DVD before anyone else.
So Star Wars Day (May 4th) was always a BIG deal for us.
But not this year.
You see Jonny is now 15…He is growing up. His interests are changing as he moves from childhood into adolescence, on his way to adulthood.
His interest in Star Wars has faded.
Jonny no-longer plays “Star Wars” games either with toys or video games anymore…instead opting to spend his free time playing “MLB The Show” on his PS5.
Action figures and toys have been given away. Shirts and sweaters have been donated.
The numerous Star Wars posters have all come down… now replaced by all things MLB (Major League Baseball).
Jonny’s enthusiastic weekly recaps of the latest “Mandolorian” episodes are now daily tidbits of the latest MLB trade rumors and the current A.L. West standings.
And while I AM a fan of baseball, sometimes I miss that high-pitched “Bubba voice” excitedly telling me the latest about the Star Wars area opening at Disneyland, or when he gleefully ratted out “Rey” to “Kylo Ren” when we finally visited the Galaxies Edge at the Anaheim theme park in 2019.
I suppose May 4th now holds more significance to me than it does to Jonny.
I was never a HUGE fan of Star Wars, but with how much Star Wars merchandise littered our house in the past, you would think I was obsessed with it.
I still wear and cherish the MANY Star Wars t-shirts Jonny gave me each year for my birthday or Christmas.
I make sure to always know where “Darthy” is in case Jonny accidentally loses him (again).
I invite Jonny to watch the latest in the Star Wars franchise installments with me (even if they ARE terrible).
But he never does.
I guess “Star Wars” to me now has a different meaning than an American cinematic movement or a pop culture reference.
It reminds me of a special time when Jonny was little. When we would play LEGO Star Wars together, or watch the latest Star Wars movie in theaters, and Jonny would ask how many stuffies he could bring.
I’m so proud of Jonny. I’m proud of all his development and progress and the young man he is becoming.
But sometimes…
I miss my little boy.
Can you please tell him to stop growing up?
(And Happy Star Wars Day)