Monday, January 7, 2013
When You Love Something
This is a blog about liking things. I just want to get that out there right now.
Often, I hear people say, "Oh, I love Star Trek because it's so campy." And, really, I guess I shouldn't question someone's motives for liking something. But, when I love something--really love it--I love it without irony. I love it with abandon.
And so did Daniel Craft. If you haven't heard about this story yet, go read it. I'll wait.
Back? If you're reading this through tears, I get it.
Basically a terminally ill man loved Star Trek and wanted, more than anything, to see the new movie before he died. His wife wrote an open letter to the producers, put it online, and not long after, they came to his house with a very rough cut of the film. He watched it. He loved it. And, it ended up being the last thing he did before he died.
I read this story over the weekend and couldn't really write about it until today. I couldn't even talk about it to my husband without crying. I'm having difficulty holding it together just typing this.
The story really struck a chord with me. I spent a lot of time thinking about why. I decided that this story is about loving something. Loving something without irony. Loving something with abandon. It's about a man who knew he had days--maybe only hours--left, and chose to spend those precious hours in the company of the people and the show that had given him so much joy over the years.
I get that I'm spending a year watching Star Trek and that this probably seems laughable to a lot of people. I get that anyone at all could point their finger and say that I could/should be doing something "more important" with my time. But, I love Star Trek. If I found out that I had only days--maybe only hours-- I'd be doing the same thing. Watching the show I love, with the people I love, and writing about why it means so much.
I also get that, the people involved in Star Trek, the writers, actors, directors, especially in the earlier years, maybe felt like they could/should be doing something "more important." I'm sure they had friends and family who said, "Oh, I love Star Trek because it's so campy... but really you should be doing something serious with your time." But, reading Daniel Craft's story, I can't really imagine what's more important. They signed on for Star Trek and decided to boldly go into history and our hearts and, really, I'm just so glad they did.
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Beautiful post. I love what you said about loving without irony. I've never thought about quite in those terms, but it's such a true thing. Thanks for sharing! What an amazing story.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm so glad you appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteFantastic post. Even though I personally only really love The Next Generation, I'm enjoying this ride your on. Keep on keepin' on.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Trisha! I grew up with TNG and am definitely more familiar with it than any of the other series. I'm really excited to write about it. If you haven't watched the old TOS in a while, you should take a crack at it. It holds up so much better than you'd think!
DeleteWell, I just might have to get at it, then.
DeleteYes! I'm actually working on a "Essential Episodes" list so maybe you could do that!
Deletei mean seriously, "loving without irony" is something that i have also taken up as a personal mantra in the last few months. as a recovering hipster, it's sometimes an uphill struggle. i get encouragement from your writing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lauren. I'm so touched by the response this piece has had.
DeleteI'm an original trekkie - welcome to the world of blogging.
ReplyDeleteVisiting through Friday Flash.
Give me a visit some time ~ thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com
How awesome that the man got his last request granted!
ReplyDeleteKathy
http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com