Sebastian and I just finished the first Harry Potter book tonight. Of course, he had heard of Harry Potter before and I am pretty sure he has seen a movie clip or two. But for the most part, Harry Potter was quite the unknown for him. It is strange how that happened because for so very long both Timmy and Savannah were engrossed in Harry Potter. Savannah, recently, had reread through the books for herself which led to how much she would like to go to Harry Potter World at Universal more than any other single trip. We decided this was the year to go. Of course, that meant that Sebastian needed to be introduced to the amazing world of Hogwarts. I went and found my first book - the only Harry Potter book I have in a tattered, well loved paperback. I have thought of replacing it with a hard covered book several times, but somehow leaving the book exactly as it began seemed more fitting. It started way back in December of 2000. I had ordered some Christmas presents from a website and as a bonus they sent me a free copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's stone. I had never heard of it and really knew nothing about it. I looked it up and found it was supposed to be a great book, so I put it under the Christmas tree with all the other gifts. I still laugh at the video footage of Timmy opening it. One because he is in a t-shirt and underwear and two because he read the title as "Harry Porker". That child of mine was not a reader and completely underwhelmed that there was a book as a present. When we started back to school in January, I got home from work in the afternoon and would do the lessons we needed to cover and then we would sit on the love seat and do a read aloud book. I decided to try this one. When I took Timmy out of school in the 5th grade, reading was a struggle for him. I would have him read one page and then I would read two. It was slow and tedious, but little by little, he began to read better and his confidence grew. (It is a whole lot different reading it now to Sebastian. He follows along word for word and is quick to point out if I skip a word or change it in any way!) Savannah was just a baby - 2 years old, but she would sit with us and listen. By the time she was 4, she was convinced she was Hermione with her very own robe and wand. Two Halloweens in a row she proudly wore her costume and beamed. Timmy was the same age as Harry Potter in the books. He grew as Harry grew. We read each book as they came out until my little boy was no longer little and had a life of his own. I was sad when I read the last 2 books silently to myself. Sure, we still went to see the movies together as they came out, but I missed cuddling on that couch reading the afternoon away. I distinctly remember going to see the Harry Potter movie when I was pregnant with Sebastian and seeing the winter scenes. I craved ice so badly with that pregnancy that all the snow made me need ice immediately! Those were wonderful family times that I cherish! Sadly, Timmy died before the last movie came out. That winter, I put on his giant hoodie - still smelling like him, wrapped myself deep inside it and I watched the last movie in the theater. The tears streamed down my face and I remembered. I remembered how lucky I was to have that child in my life. How blessed I was to have memories that some people only dream of. I knew he was sitting with me in that theater. I felt him with every part of my being. And now, I have gotten to start all over again 15 years later. How often does that happen? So much has changed and yet, so much is still very the same. Sebastian leans up against me and we enter into a great adventure. And life continues...
1 comment:
This post was just so touching. I don't know you...just perked up when I read your title. My daughters love everything Harry Potter. What a lovely experience you had reading to your children, and that Timmy had a mom like you to experience the joys of life with. Thanks for sharing.
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