Thursday, July 14, 2011

Thank you, Harry

Source: tumblr.com via Ginny on Pinterest


It was a rainy summer day in Colorado. I was 19, a summer nanny for three very bored kids. I had been given strict orders for no TV, we were trapped inside and the kids were getting restless.

Restless as in, jumping from the top of the stairs to the bottom. This made me fear for my job much more than the safety of the kids, so I grabbed the nearest book I could find and told them to sit down. We were going to read.

The book I grabbed? Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone. I began to read aloud. The kids and I were entranced as we entered a world where wizards and magic really did exist. That day we read for about three hours straight, until my voice was hoarse. It was the best day I had as a nanny.

After that, I was hooked. I went home that very day and bought every volume of HP available. At the time, it was books one through four. They were by my side the rest of the summer. I finished reading all four and reread them. I researched when the fifth would come out.

I became a Harry Potter-phile.

Harry and I finished his journey together, as did millions of others who read Rowling's seven part series. When the seventh book came out, I knew I would have a hard time finding a series I loved as much. I have yet to find one.

I was sad that there would be no more books but I felt better that there were more movies coming out. I am a true believer that the books never held any candle to the movies, but I have always enjoyed Hollywood's take on the movies.

We have plans to see the last installment in the HP series and while I'm excited, I'm sad too. I'll miss Harry and the wizarding world.

However, I've got the books. Better yet, I have a son. One day, my son and I will sit down on his bed and snuggle together. We'll open Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and we'll read. We'll discuss, we'll analyze and we'll imagine what life would be like if it were true...if magic really did exist. He'll ask me to read one more chapter and I won't be able to say no. We'll read until he falls asleep. It all sounds so delicious, I just can't wait.

So really, my journey with Harry is not over. I am lucky enough to relive it through the eyes of my son.

For that Harry, I say thank you.



post signature

8 comments:

Amanda Joy Petersen said...

I have saved a bunch of photos on pinterest for a Harry Potter I plan to throw when my kids are older and know the magic that is Harry Potter.

I watched part of the first movie with Abbie; and being a 2 year old, he favorite part was the Hogwarts Express and the troll boogers stuck to Harry's wand:)

living for the planet said...

I am a Harry Potter fan too!! I'm visiting from the Thursday blog hop and I'm your newest follower. I'd love it if you followed me back at http://organicplanet.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

i SWEAR i just told that EXACT thing to my husband when we were talking about trying to catch the movie this weekend! i still miss them since the book series ended... and this will be the longest i have been away from my son... who i cannot wait to share harry with when he gets a little older!
- gabby
gabriellecato at gmail dot com
thenewcatos.blogspot.com

English said...

Planning an HP post today myself - we chose some of the same pictures! Def. an end to a very key life chapter (no pun intended!)

Elvira said...

We haven't seen the last movie yet, but I know I'm going to be sad when we've seen it, because, well, you know, it's like "the and of an era". But what you wrote today is so true, so I'll buy the books (yeah, the ones I read were my brother's) and wait impatiently for children to come :)

visiting (and following!) through Thirsy Thursday blog hop

City Life to Ranching Wife said...

I have never had one tad of interest in reading these books until this post. I think I might just start the HP journey. Better late than never, right?

After all, I'm all caught up on the Twilight series. May Twilight lovers and Harry Potter-philes can co-exist?? :)

Handy Man, Crafty Woman said...

Oh, I LOVE love love HP. I'm re-reading book 7 right now. Last night I got to the part above that you showed: "after all this time?" "Always"...and...*SOB*

I can't WAIT to see the movie. we are waiting for the crowds to thin a bit, and for hubby to have a day off. I am going to need some kleenex!!

Stephanie said...

My last post was about Harry Potter too! I love reading other people's stories about the series :)

Home