"Longer Lives The King" BN

The end of the end of it all. That's sort of how it feels. This week the extended DVD of The Return Of The King was released. It's not really over--just the movie part. It is always ongoing inside the heart and one can always return to Middle-earth and to the King whenever one picks up the books and begins reading them again.

But when I think back to three years ago in post 9-11 atmosphere, entering the darkened theater with some reluctance and fear of being bored to sleep by a movie my friend and husband were incredibly excited about--when I think back and ponder now how my life literally changed because of the movies--it is mind boggling.

I was also thinking about this--this 'thing' I have about Frodo. My hero Frodo. Again I heard someone say the other night at the viewing we were attending that Sam is the true hero--but Frodo is mine and always will be. This hero of mine-this small being with a large presence--this amazing being whom I look up to in wonder--this being that humbles and boosts my weak spirit during times when I feel like giving up--this brave being who sacrificed his life for his homeland--this being. . . I could go on of course. But as I have revisited my feelings about him this week I have been overwhelmed with a sense of humbleness, awe and of course, love. The movies always have that affect on me but this time it really hit me harder for some reason. Maybe it is the subtle additions that were added concerning Sam and Frodo that did it. I'm really not sure but this time I was more moved than I have been in a long time. We also have listened to the cast commentary and some of the things Elijah Wood has to say about Frodo (finally!) stirred things up for me. But then again why not--this is the only man alive who had the essence of Frodo inside of him- young as he was- and even though his youth still colors his thinking about the character, there is no doubt that Frodo left a permanent mark upon his soul--praise be.

And for certain Frodo has left a permanent mark on my soul-indeed he has. I have read literally hundreds of books aloud to children during my career as a teacher and I have seen the enraptured looks on children's faces when they are caught up in a story or a character that they love. I remember (pre LOTR) thinking that children are so easily moved by books and characters and I never was. I had my childhood favorites and could name a few on one hand that I liked with a passion as an adult but never did I connect with a character like I did with Frodo and that is the life changing aspect of this for me in a nutshell. I guess he is my kindler of the literary heart. And to be truthful he kindles a lot more than that inside me too. But maybe that is the core of my feelings for him--what he represents for me--finally the one I was looking for or not looking for--but there he was and is and will remain so. Movies over or not, he can't be removed from my consciousness and I sense that this is only the beginning of my journey of discovery with him.

So at the risk of sounding rather foolish and saying no more or giving no more explanantion I shall end this here. I'm glad that the King lives on and so does my hero.