I Guess You Could Say Harry and I Grew Up Together

It's funny when you've become attached to something, something that has a been a fad during most of your childhood, something that has been an escape, something that has made you believe in magic, something that inspired you to read. Harry Potter. It is funny, I know, and almost ridiculous that it means that much to me BUT hey when have I ever been sensible?!

I remember reading the books with my Mom and Megan when we were young. I particularly remember reading the last few chapters of the 3rd book (Prisoner of Azkaban) in my room by candlelight with the two of them, and feeling like it was the most intense book I have ever read! I remember reading the fourth one on my own and feeling like it was the longest book I would ever read but learning to love reading at the same time. I remember it falling apart into two pieces because of all the places it went. I remember going to pick up the 5th book and being so so SO worried that they would run out. I remember reading it in t

he car to my dad on the drive home. I remember reading and READING and not moving from the couch for days. I remember crying when Sirius died and nearly throwing the book in anger. I remember hating how mad Harry was all the time. I remember the 6th book, how intense the plot became and how creepy the cave at the end was (I have a fear of caves and water...weird I know). Once again, I didn't move for days till I read it. I remember PREPARING for the release of the 7th book. I reread the 5th and 6th looking for clues and "Highlighting my copies" (according to a color code). I remember checking Mugglenet weekly for peoples thoughts on what was going to happen. I remember going to get the final book and again being nervous of them running out. I remember reading the dedication and getting chills. I remember reading ALL night only stopping at about 6 in the morning to take a 30 minute power nap. I remember being so confused at the snake coming out of Bathilda and having to read it over and over again to make sure that I wasn't imagining things. I remember crying when Ron left and crying when he came back. I remember not wanting it to end and I remember that the ending was better then I EVER could have predicted.

Now, we are on the FINAL part of the FINAL movie next week. I will be there at 6:30 the night before for a special showing my work arranged and ALSO the midnight. I get to share the 6:30 premiere with my Dad who has been by my side at 3 of the midnight showings. I am so excited but I kind of feel a little sad because it will be over. At least when the books ended, I knew I would have the excitement of the movies. I know there will always be more fads but I don't think there will ever be anything THIS special. The story means a lot to me and I really think that people could get really meaningful stuff out of it if they wanted. I love that it got me excited to read and helped encourage me to read bigger books...books that may look "too" long. I loved that when I had nothing to do I could just curl up and read with my Harry Potter book and soda. I guess you could say Harry and I grew up together. I will keep reading the books over and over and watching the movies...I can guarantee that!

The good news is that someday I can share the magic with my kids through the movies and books, and remember what it was like when I read them myself as a kid.