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Thursday, August 27, 2009

growing up

In 1989 my parents took me to see The Little Mermaid in the theater. I was six, I sat and watched it with wonder and amazement as Ariel swam around the screen singing her beautiful songs. 30 minutes into the movie everyone in the theater was startled when a little girl ran screaming, arms flailing up the center aisle of the Morro Bay Theater. I spent the rest of the movie in the lobby peeking in through the big doors and hiding as soon as Ursula reappeared. Since then I have wanted nothing to do with the movie. I even had recurring nightmares that Ursula's tentacles were slowly wrapping their way up the posts of my daybed and she was going to drag me under water and turn me into one of her little sea creatures. (you can see why I was so freaked out). My fears turned into "the choice" that I just didn't like the movie, that I thought it was lame. This was my excuse when people would express they're undying love for the story of Ariel and Erik and I would start to get embarrassed (how many 16 year old's are afraid of a kids movie? except for maybe the Dark Crystal that thing is just wrong).
Fast forward twenty years and the invention of Youtube. I often test out Disney flicks on Jocelyn this way because you can watch the whole thing for free. The little Mermaid popped up, I hesitated and decided to give it a go, knowing that it had been at least 10 years since someone had tried to make we watch it again. We sat down and watched it together and something happened. I like it. Jocelyn LOVED it. I think maybe seeing Ursula on a smaller screen made her easier to handle. I'm not saying that I am going out to buy it for my girls to watch as they get older, I guess I am just saying that I have finally let go of my fear of Ursula.
* I think the fact that I have my own strong prince beside me and no posts on my bed helps just a little bit.

6 comments:

Shannan Martin said...

Well, if you can conquer Ursula, you can conquer the world! For what it's worth - I have never seen an entire Disney flick. Not a one. I have seen bits and pieces and know the general themes, but I have harbored a long-standing and distinct loathing for animation and have not watched one in its entirety. Now that I have two smallish people in my care, I'm learning to let it all go. :)(
ps- Why do all "kids" movies have to have villains and scaryish parts? Makes me mad.

oh, hello friend. said...

lol, i like the comment above :)
you've conquered ursula!! hurray.

that is really cool that you remember going to see the movie in the theater! i remember watching it endlessly growing up.

i've always like ariel, but i can see your point of view with the whole tentacles thing, scary stuff!

xo. danni

Anna Claire said...

Hi, I popped over from Pioneer Woman's blog when I saw by your comment on the mixer post that we graduated high school the same year!

Then I read this blog post and laughed. I like Little Mermaid, but I saw The Neverending Story at a birthday party when I was 5 and I am still scared of it to this day. It gives me the creeps just thinking about it. Way to conquer your fears!

Jenn Kirk said...

Great minds think alike. I've been test-driving Disney movies on YouTube for Kai, as well. And way to go overcoming your Ursala fear. ;) The sacrifices we make for our children!

Katie said...

Ah, I can remember watching this in the theater too (except my experience was far less traumatic, you poor thing). Isn't that the best part about having kids? You get to be a kid ALL over again!

Jeri said...

So funny! I loved the Little Mermaid, but I was a tad older than you when it entered the theaters. Just a tad mind you. =)

Thanks for the cookie help tonight. They were great!

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