When it was announced that there was a sequel coming and that most of the original cast was returning, my curiosity was aroused. What would it be like to see grown-up Ralphie with a family of his own? I was looking forward to finding out. A Christmas Story Christmas was released two years ago and for various reasons I haven't been able to watch it during the holiday season, when it's meant to be seen. But last night some stars aligned and I decided it was time to see the Parker family is up now.
I'm glad that I did, because A Christmas Story Christmas turned out to be something that I needed right at this moment. I saw a lot of myself in the now 43-year old Ralphie (once again inimitable portrayed by Peter Billingsley). The situation he is in at the start of the movie is much my own at the moment. And then, it is now just over ten years since Dad - my own "Old Man" - passed away, and Christmas hasn't been the same without him. It's been said that you don't know how much you appreciate someone until they're gone. There have now been eleven Christmases without my father and there hasn't been one that I didn't feel his absence.
So seeing this movie last night very much resonated with me. It made me thankful, for the happy times which I have had in my life, however much fewer those seem to have been in recent years. It gave me a little bit of hope, that maybe my pursuit of my dreams hasn't been a vain thing after all. It made me grateful for the loved ones I still have in my extended family: people who are as dear to me as anyone could possibly be.
I could say more, but I guess what I'm trying to convey if nothing else, is check out A Christmas Story Christmas if you haven't already. It may delight you as unexpectedly as it did me. A very worthy follow-up to a beloved holiday classic.
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