This Reminds Me

Archive for July 15th, 2009

Keith, Lois and Hannah bugged me for years to read the “Harry Potter” series. They always devoured the latest edition within a day of its release. Me?   I perpetually stalled.   My reading time is limited, and there always seemed a more enticing book at the ready. Keith finally goaded me into reading the seven-book series over three weeks this summer, and I loved it. (Thank you, Brother Bob, for preaching such an excellent sermon in 1998 about the first book’s popularity. I’ll never forget your saying, “Your children will not become Satanists by reading this book. If they’re old enough to read it, they’re old enough to understand the difference between fiction and fact. Give them some credit.”)

Our girls are in Houston visiting family this week, so Keith couldn’t bundle us all off to the midnight show of the newest movie opening, as is his custom. He was stuck with just me – a somewhat reluctant partner, I will confess, until he reasoned, “Look, you don’t want me going by myself at midnight with all those kids and looking like a creeper, do you?”

So I couldn’t let him look like a creeper! I had to go, too.  Along with  9+ completely sold-out theaters full of fellow fans at the Quarry.

Quiddich, anyone? I think decades served in corporate America have prepared me for a career as a Beater.

Rachel and Lois borrowed Sarah’s car to go see it in Pearland.  The texts were flying between the four of us.  In fact – the theater auditorium sported scores of cell phone lights before the movie started.  Keith said, “Can you imagine the data streams going out of here?”

I loved those books, and now better appreciate the movies. In fact – like all great books I’ve read – I’ve even learned something from them.

10 Things I’ve Learned or Had Reinforced by Reading “Harry Potter”:

1. Not all witches ride brooms.
2. If you poke a dragon – expect to get burned.
3. What’s accurate is not always what’s true.
4. Home is the place you’re safest. Or should be.
5. Howlers are to be avoided.
6. It’s our choices that define us.
7. You might die for your friends, but the only thing worth living for is an ideal.
8. The past is always part of the present.
9. “Good” is eventually going to win. The last book was a Revelation.

And finally….
10. Nobody loves you like your mother.

Hope you enjoyed this blog.  After all…….”Nothing like a nighttime stroll to give you ideas.” Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire