To Live...

"To live would be an awfully big adventure."

- Robin Williams (as Peter Banning, Hook)

Like the rest of the world, the death of Robin Williams has really bothered and saddened me.  It's amazing to me to think that someone who brought so much joy and laughter to people could have so much darkness within himself.  I think the reason it bothers me so much is that, dramatic as it sounds, it feels like a part of my childhood and youth died, too.

A big part of my childhood was spending time with my Grama and in addition to daily trips to Dairy Queen, we watched a lot of movies.

Some of our favorites to watch (on VHS, of course) were Hook, Aladdin, Mrs. Doubtfire, Jumanji, Jack, and The Birdcage.

Source

Did you catch the one that wasn't quite like the others, The Birdcage?  In it, Robin Williams plays a gay cabaret owner.  He and his drag queen companion (played by Nathan Lane) agree to put up a false "straight" front so that their son can introduce them to his fiancée's right-wing parents.

 

Sounds like a totally age-appropriate movie for a pre-tween, yes?  Probably not, but it (along with Dustin Hoffman's Tootsie) was a staple in our rotation.  I like to think of it as being "cultured" at a young age.

 

I've always loved movies, and I feel like my Gram was instrumental in igniting that love.

She was an amazing part of my childhood and youth, and so was Robin Williams.

I'm pretty sure Ryan hasn't ever seen The Birdcage, so he's in for a real treat.

Take Luck,

LP