Toy Story has spanned across the part of my life with the most dramatic changes. When the first movie came out with its breathtaking 3d animation and the ability to show things in a way that no traditionally animated movie ever could I was in fifth grade.
I was astounded by the visuals and it was great to experience the new technology but that still isn't what stole the show for me. The characters and the relationships were so much more real than in other family movies. Watching Toy Story was like being a child around an adult who still treats you like you are important and intelligent. I saw in Toy Story the joy of being a child. For me, it was the first movie that really resonated with both my mind and soul.
Then they came out with Toy Story 2. I was in ninth grade by then- maybe too old to be attending a Disney movie. But I saw that in the theaters as soon as it came out. And although I was completely expecting a disappointing sequel, I fell in love again. Toy Story 2 caught me at a point in my life when I was leaving childhood behind. The grace with which they showed childhood as beautiful but ephemeral and fleeting tugged at my heart strings. I found myself in a strange place. I was still hanging on to my childhood and the comforts represented by childhood toys but I was standing on the precipice of adulthood. I knew that I would be leaving behind the happiness that only a child can feel, the ability to create entire worlds with just my imagination and a few toys, and mostly the feeling of safety and contentment that children feel. The montage ending with Jessie being donated still stands out in my mind as one of the most moving moments in any movie. I ate up every second of that movie and have since come to love it even more than the original.
Now I have my own son who loves Woody and Buzz. The idea of passing the toys on to be loved by another generation of children really touched home for me. There I was sitting in the theater with my almost three year old son (at his very first movie) and we were both glued to the screen. Woody and Buzz literally had been passed down a generation in my family. My son was riveted. He sat up on edge when they were in peril. He laughed when were silly. He loved every second of it. And when it was time to say goodbye to Woody, Buzz, and all of their friends I saw not only my childhood which by this point is in the past but I saw the beauty of every moment of make believe that I have the privilege to share with my little boy. I saw the almost three years of my son's life that have already slipped by pass before my eyes. I suddenly found myself empathizing with Andy's mom and saw Woody and Buzz as metaphors of parenthood.
We get to share moments of complete joy and all encompassing love with our children but they grow up so quickly. We will always be important to them but it will never again be the same as the day that we held them on the day that they were born. Or the moment that they took their first step. The moments of make believe will be replaced and the firsts become more and more adult as they attend their first day of school, have their first love, and one day have kids of their own. The way that Toy Story 3 said goodbye to the characters that have literally been with me on my journey from child to parent was poignant, simply stated, and honestly perfect.
I am so glad that I was able to share Toy Story with my son. His first movie going experience was the best that it possibly could have been. It was magical- which is what Disney is all about. So goodbye Woody and Buzz, I have loved you and I will make sure that like Andy's toys I will enjoy the time that I have, soak up every minute that my son chooses to devote to me, and when the day comes that he too grows up I will make sure to be there for him... whenever he needs me.
Dylan with the toy Woody
that my mom bought me when
the first Toy Story movie
was released in 1995.
that my mom bought me when
the first Toy Story movie
was released in 1995.
