Galactic generational trauma
So I’ve started watching Star Wars for the first time. And by the first time I mean, I watched the entire franchise about 8 years ago but I’m pretty sure it was the second screen because I remember very little. This week I finished episodes 4, 5 & 6, and was surprised at how deeply moved I was at many things - not all I have time to discuss in this post (perhaps a future one?) The thing that struck me the most was not, “no, I am your father” but rather the final exchange between father and son. Firstly, Vader asks Luke to remove his mask so he can see him with his own eyes. We are horrified as the formidable hardened mask, long a symbol of power and destruction, reveals a pale and feeble looking man. We want to look away - but Luke does not. They hold each other’s gaze before Vader says,
“Now, go my son. Leave me.”
Luke, belligerent with hope says, “No, you’re coming with me. I’ll not leave you here. I’ve got to save you.”
“You already have, Luke.”
I actually had to time out after that. Pause and process the despair and hope and beauty and sadness. And the surprise at how heavy it hit.
It made me think about the complexity of trauma - of the thousands of people across the world living estranged from parents and children for whatever reason. It made me think about a child’s belief that their parents are infallible, and the realisation that comes to us all that even our heroes are deeply flawed.
The surprise of parenting is that you do it with gaping wounds. You do it managing the ups and downs of strained relationships with other adults, and you do it shielding your kids from it as best you can.
Vader - penultimate bad guy for much of these episodes - demonstrates this in action when his final moments are spent protecting his son from harm and then showing tenderness in his dying breath.
There’s no sparing my children completely from my own fallibility - from the generational habits and attitudes that I will pass on to them despite my trying, from my failings and mistakes. But at the end of the day, I will do my best to protect them from harm and to let them know I love them. And for all my trying to save them from the worst of me, they are the ones that bring out my best - and have already saved me.
If you’re a Star Wars fan, why? And what other complex messages do you see in its plot?
I’m planning my summer wardrobe (more on that in no. 5) and I think a baby doll dress might be the perfect everyday outfit this summer. Cute and comfy! I’m contemplating this one from ASOS.
Yes I’m well into the Starwars franchise. I’ve always said I’m more of a fantasty girlie but if I’m interested in film history then Starwars has got to be on the list of films that changed the game. There are books, yes?
Every now and then my husband gets hyper fixated on a food and I am here for it every step of the way. For the past few weeks he has been perfecting a - wait for it - triple chocolate stuffed cookie that is INSANELY good.
It’s felt like summer this week in the Southern hemisphere, which makes me long for outdoor music and festivals! I have two kids, but I’m determined to make the most of the weather and the music. If I start planning and prepping now, nothing can go wrong, right?
The Spring season is nearly over and for the first time ever, I truly planned and stuck to a capsule wardrobe and I’ve loved it. I decided on 4-5 colours for that season, then I considered my week-to-week reality and how many of each item I would need. Becoming selective has made dressing in the morning so easy, and where I have shopped for myself it has been with intention. I’m in the middle of planning my Summer capsule wardrobe now!
My vege garden is springing into life, and I can’t wait to try and make all the fresh summer dips this season. I have a massive tub of herbs begging to be culled! So just you wait, I’ll make some dips and report back with my favourites in no time.
Thanks for reading, have a great week!