Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Ramona Quimby- Sharing My Childhood Friend With My Girls

Would Hollywood
Ruin a Classic?

This weekend, I took my girls on a Mommy/Daughters date. We went to see "Ramona and Beezus" at our local dollar theater.

It's funny- sometimes I forget that Ramona isn't a real person. She was such a prominent part of my childhood, she feels like a real-life friend.

If you are a fan, too, you should check out Beverly Cleary's website here. I just know she and I are kindred spirits.

When I first heard of the movie, I was excited but hesitant, too. I was afraid of Hollywood ruining the books.

I was thinking, "Selena Gomez as Beezus, really?"

Pleasantly Surprised:

As the first few scenes of the movie unfolded, I realized different moments of all of the books had been combined into one story. It took me a few minutes to switch off the "That's not how it happens in the book!" filter in my brain. After that I was able to really enjoy the movie, especially the laugh out loud parts, and more than one scene made all three of us cry.

I fell in love with Joey King, the little girl who played Ramona, and John Corbett made a great Mr. Quimby.

Although the movie was different from the books, I'm not worried that it ruined the books for my girls. Instead, I think it sparked a desire to read them again for all of us. I'd actually like to buy the movie and watch it again.

The Need to Be Creative:

I think maybe one of the reasons I enjoyed the movie so much was my ability to relate to Ramona's father and his need to be creative. In order to be truly content and happy, I need some type of creative release in my life. Whether it is blogging, scrapbooking, painting, decorating, or writing, I'm the happiest when that part of my heart is exercised everyday, even if for only tiny bit of my day. I think that desire in a lot of us is a reflection of our Creator, and our creativity can be an expression of worship to Him.

And judging from the fact that after we came home Littlest Princess was more interested in making her elaborate tiara out of sparkly pipe cleaners than she was in eating lunch, I think she may have inherited some of the same need from her mama.

I smiled in understanding when I asked her about lunch and she said, "I'm busy being creative!"

Like mother, like daughter
(Well maybe not the skipping lunch part) : )

Speaking of being creative...

I'm quietly working away on my first novel. I'm still not sure if I have enough talent to do it, but it sure makes my heart happy to try.


2 comments:

Sally Jo said...

Yay! I had such a craving to talk to you this morning. Then, here was your blog! It may be creative to you, but it is a bandaide on my heart to me. Thanks, Mom

PS: give the kids a kiss for me.

Katy said...

I had the exact same thougts about the movie too! I had told Gracie that if she read the book I would take her to the movie so she quickly did that and we made a girls day out of it! We had the same reactions....that's not in the book and so on, but wow that is one movie that I would love to purchase and watch again and again! We loved it!! And I can't WAIT to read your book!!! Any teasers?? LOL