Happy Hoth Day

30 years before James’ life revolved around “Toy Story”, my world was all about “Star Wars”.  This time 3 decades ago I endlessly pondered:

• How was Han going to be rescued from Boba Fett and be freed from the carbonite?

• Could Luke ever beat beat Vader, especially with his new mechanical hand?

• Would we ever see the Emperor?

And every time it snowed all I could think of was Hoth, that has been the constant through my life. Throughout the snow days and storms of my day there was not a time where I played through the snowy squalls and did not pause and at least imagine I was on that amazingly cool, frozen planet.

During my senior year in college I worked at the local multiplex.  I did not have a car, so I often would walk to work.  My trek took me down routes 20 and 60, and a few times I trudged through significant cold temperatures and snow to get there.  What got me through?  Imagining that I was Luke, trying to escape the Wampa’s cave was a source of comfort and warmth straight from youth.  I may have even uttered a “Ben…” out loud as shivered down the cold lonely sidewalks of Fredonia.

I was 21. I was and still am a dork at heart.

It’s okay, I know who I am.  Even the prequels awfulness cannot tarnish my association of snowy weather with the amazingly cool ice planet of my youth.

Later, out in the snow with my kids, I will be building snow men and  we will knocking them down with our sleds.  My heart will be in touch with my inner youth; my heart will be on Hoth.

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