On Harry Potter ...

Well, the most important literary series in my time has come to an end with the release of the last Harry Potter movie.

It was a wonderful movie.  Well acted, beautifully filmed, perfectly directed, and fantastic special effects.  I couldn't resist seeing it in IMAX 3D - and it was very well done.  Many said they didn't notice a difference for the most part - but I beg to differ.  While there weren't a lot of things flying out at the audience, it gives depth to the scenes.  In other words, the characters look like real people and not flat images.  And the things that did fly out at you were really great - the best scene was when Valdemort exploded.  As a matter of fact - I leaned over to my husband, breaking the "no talking during movies" rule, and said it was the best 3D scene ever.   The movie was awesome, and well worth the wait. 

I discovered Harry Potter when I was in college.  I was taking a class called "Writing for Children and Families" taught by the lovely Toran Isom, at UALR.  She brought in a section to share with the class.  It was only a couple of paragraphs, but, I was immediately smitten with the story.

My son, Woody, was about 9 at the time, and I thought it was something we might enjoy sharing.  As soon as I left school, I went to the local Barnes and Noble and purchased Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.  That night, Woody and I began reading it together.  Woody and I would take turns reading aloud to each other.  I used it as a way to monitor his reading skills, pronunciation, and vocabulary.  Not to mention, it was a great way to spend family time.

As soon as we finished Sorcerer's Stone, I head back to the book store for the next installment, Chamber of Secrets.  While we were reading that book, he went to visit his dad and stepmother for the weekend.  He carried Harry along with him, excited to get the chance to share it with his dad.  During his visit, his stepmonster burned our cherished book, saying it was satanic.  Woody was crushed, and a bit confused.

I rushed to the bookstore and immediately purchased another copy - and we finished it within a few days.  But, unfortunately, Woody's love for Harry fizzled with the last book.  I'm not sure if the incident with his stepmonster was responsible - or if, being a tween, he had become too "jaded" to enjoy the stories anymore.

I continued to devour every page J.K. Rowling wrote.  At the end of each offering, I was immediately hungry for more.  I proudly attended the "release" parties for each - fighting the crowds of kids to get my copy. 

Between Half Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows, I started a job where I had nothing to do 98% of the day.  So, I started the series again, reading one after another in anticipation of the release of Deathly Hallows.  Two days after the release of Deathly Hallows, I had to travel for work.  When I boarded the plane, I started laughing hysterically.  Every single person on the plane had their copy, waiting until take off for the chance to dive in to the anticipated final.

By the time I returned home, I had read all but the last chapter - and I couldn't bring myself to finish.  I knew as soon as I read that last page, it was all over.  I carried the book around the house, tucked under my arm.  But, I couldn't open it.  Finally, late on Sunday night, I decided it was time and through tears, I read the final chapter - the end of one of the greatest stories ever told.

I was a bit apprehensive about going to see Deathly Hallows Part 2 at the theater for much the same reason. I finally gave in, so hubby and I went to see it Sunday night after it's opening.  There was not a peep out of any of the audience members - a rare occurrence in the movie world. 

When the movie ended, I sat quietly, wiping away the tears.  It was the end of an era - and what an era it was.

Thank you J.K. Rowling for the laughs, the tears, and a story like none other.