Star Wars, the beginning …

I was unaware of how to create a sith lord, but I did. I decided to buy my husband the original Star Wars DVD  set for Christmas. The movies are epic. Levi was maybe 3 years old at the time. We let him watch the movies. Little did I know I was creating a Star Wars fan for life.

He became obsessed. I was hoping for a true jedi master but instead I got a sith lord. He dressed himself in all black with hints of red. He scoured the house and car for loose change. The all empowering light saber was his goal! Of course it had to be red. Over a bowl of cheerios I could feel his stare, hand extended, desperately trying to force me into pouring more grape juice in his sippy cup. I stared him down and in my best Yoda voice which sounds more like Kermit the frog, I said, “No! Try not! Do or do not, there is no try.”

The sulk was deep. Shoulders slumped. Dragging his light saber behind him he went into his lair to plot revenge. A battle strategy was strewn all over the floor. It was a sea of legos, knights, and ninja turtles. I couldn’t tell which century we were in. The losses were massive. Wounded creatures everywhere. Sitting triumphantly amongst the wreckage was Darth Leviticus nodding his head. He had a plan.

Prepare the battle station …

I prepared my own battle station.  I could hear Master Yoda, “Wars not make one great.” Oh Yoda, do I retreat and hideaway on another planet? How can I reach my son, Darth Leviticus? I know there is still good in him, I can feel it!

I could hear his footsteps, the light saber humming. The battle was about to commence in the family room.

Darth Leviticus stands tall at about 3 feet, and he says, “If you are not with me, then you’re my enemy.”

“Truly wonderful, the mind of a child is.” I reply.

“The Jedi turned against me! Don’t you turn against me too!”

“Oh Levi, I have not. I love you. What is really the problem?” I could see the turmoil in his eyes.

“I want more grape juice!” He shouts in pure frustration.

“Seriously, that’s all you wanted? Why didn’t you just ask me? Oh, and the answer is no. You get one cup a juice a day but I will gladly get you some milk, even chocolate.”

The light saber is dropped. As fast as his legs can carry him, he snatches his sippy cup and hands it to me. His little face lights up as I shake it up to ensure the mixture of chocolate and milk. He crawls up on his chair. I place a couple of animal cookies on the table. He smiles and says thank you as he shoves two in his mouth.

The turn-around?

I was able to avert disaster today. I knew there was good in him. As I stand in awe of my wisdom, Levi gets down and runs to play. I tell him to wash his hands first. He turns slowly, head tilted down, eyes seering into my brain, hand begins to extend out, no words are uttered, no words need to be uttered. I know. I have awakened the darth lord within. It’s time to prepare the battle station.