**warning - small spoiler alert for Ramona and Beezus**
Tears streamed down my cheeks. I glanced over at The May Queen, and she quickly looked away from me. Bagged crying again, I thought. But then I heard her sniff. She was crying, too. Her knees were pulled in to her chest. I lifted the arm separating our cinema seats, and rested my hand gently on her shoe. I thought she might cuddle into me, but she didn't.
For the rest of the movie she laughed, a little, but not nearly as full heartedly as she had before.
When the movie ended, we walked out, hand in hand.
What made you sad? I asked. I thought I knew, but I wanted to make sure I didn't go delving into stuff that hadn't bothered her.
When the cat died, she sniffed, and began crying again. I picked her up and held her while she wept. Wept. People walked by us, looking both sympathetic and curious.
I'm not sure if it was only the cat dying, and her thinking about OUR cats dying, as she said. Maybe it was that Ramona was probably going to have to move, and we have just moved away from her friends and her house and her school and the only life she's known. Maybe it was the fighting parents. I suspect that, like me, a sad point in a movie gave her a chance to cry and release all sorts of emotions we've been struggling with for weeks. These past few have not been easy. So yes, it's the cat, but it's so much more...intangible things that had everything and nothing to do with the movie.
Regardless, my child has cried over her first movie.
And I forgot to pack the tissues.
11 comments:
Thinking of you guys and sending good thoughts your way. I know it will get better for all of you but right now in the raw freshness of the move it may be rough. Hoping that eases for you guys, soon.
Oh, it is SO emotional to move and sometimes we think we have to be brave and be excited, but a good cry in the movies will do wonders. In the military we have learned that it actually takes about 6 months to adjust to a new move (sometimes longer), so be patient with yourself and don't feel the need to paint on a happy face.
Like the way I incorporated "paint" into my comment? Never mind, I'm tired.
Yeah, I cried when we went to see that movie, too. I thought it would be funnier, but did enjoy. I must say, I was relieved to have been able to tell the kids that we do not have to move immediately (we got our mortgage modification!) before going to see that.
I think it's good that you were able to have a cathartic cry without having to delve into the details of the past few weeks. I think you've been awfully brave!
My daughter has been wanting to see that movie too. But now I'm not so sure. Plus, she might start wondering what happened to her goldfish while we were on vacation (they died, but she hasn't noticed yet.)
I'll never forget when I saw KayTar crying over a little Bill episode when Alice the Great had magically made it home for Christmas. I asked her if she was crying and she sniffed and said, "I fink its tears of joy." LOL.
The cat represented to her a thing that she cherished. All of us have our attachments to the things we love and when such is portrayed in a related thing, we cry. Perhaps your observation is correct. :-)
oh sad :( give the may queen a hug for me and one for yourself too. I'm having a sleepover with the girlies three tonight. I think I'll take them to Ramona.
Oh man, I loved those books when I was younger. I just don't know how it would translate into a movie for me, and I know my boys would be bored to tears.
Anyway, I think a good cry is very healthy. Gotta get those emotions out. And knowing that she can do that in front of her mama and her mama will comfort her is priceless.
Hang on to each other and you'll make it through.
More prayers!!!
-- and thanks for the offer of sending the book! I actually have quite a few on my stack I have yet to read, but I really appreciate your offer. :)
How's the unpacking and settling in going?????
Ol' Picky Picky dying just did me in in the books. But I'm so sorry about your upheaval and your need to suddenly leave the place you love so much.
However, if you're in NORTHERN Michigan, you are VERY VERY VERY close to where I live. How's that for an awesome brightside? Email me and maybe we can make plans to get together!
(And I was joking about it being an "awesome brightside", but it still would be nice.)
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