By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor
Life, particularly around the holidays, can be a little tough. It happens to a lot of people. It’s not always candy canes and Bing Crosby movies. But we’ve all weathered the storm to varying degrees, survived the 365-day drama fest that was 2014, and have entered what could quite possibly be the greatest, most epic year ever to be bestowed on humanity. A year that pales in comparison to the fracturing of Pangaea, the giant asteroid killing off the dinosaurs, the birth of Western civilization along the Tigris and Euphrates, the Magna Carta, or the invention of the Hungry Man microwavable dinner.
We will see a new “Star Wars” movie this year. And it will be awesome.
Search your feelings. You know it to be true.
Now for those who haven’t already turned the page to the Calendar of Events (I find your lack of faith disturbing, by the way), I’ll give you a moment to stop jumping up and down in geeky euphoria at the mere prospect of a “Star Wars” film that doesn’t kill off its best character after limited screen time or include anything closely associated with Jar Jar Binks. Even as I typed that, I felt a shiver up my spine.
May 25, 1977, a cultural phenomenon was born. Not only did “Star Wars” single handedly set the whole science fiction genre on its ear, but it changed the way people looked at the world. It was the first movie my brother and I ever saw, and to this day, we still thank our parents for it. And while the last three “prequels” were a bit of disappointment, this year is going to be different. This is a movie directed by uber-genius J.J. Abrams, a man who knows in his heart of hearts that Han Solo really shot first and that an entire community of geekdom is longing for something incredibly awesome. He’s determined to deliver. And Disney, who now owns the “Star Wars” franchise, is willing to throw enough money to fill a Sarlacc Pit to make it happen.
Isn’t it great to have something to look forward to? Don’t you wish that there were more moments like that in your life?
In every year, there’s an opportunity to dwell on our disappointments. That’s pretty easy to do, especially if you have a bad feeling about it. And if need help with that, don’t worry; other people love to lend a hand regardless. Just look at all the snarky comments on Facebook. There’s also something that you can find to look forward to, to embrace, to be truly excited about. You may not see it at first, but it’s there if you put a little effort into it. It can be as big as milestone event, like getting married or welcoming your first grandchild into the world. It can also be as small as coming home to your kids and the family dog really excited to see you walking through that door. It’s your first step into a much larger world. And isn’t a full year of those special moments as awesome as a new “Star Wars” movie?
May your 2015 be filled with many “Star Wars” moments to look forward to and embrace in this, the best year ever. And may the Force be with you. Always.
