Your Toy Story Too

A basic need that we all have it to be heard. When Joy and I had a miscarriage back in 2003 we went through a time of conflicting and overwhelming emotions. I can remember that telling someone my story was the one thing that I felt I needed terribly. This post is not about that story. I’ve told it already on this blog. But it is about all of us and our collective stories.

I was surprised to see that received more votes than the other two in this franchise seeing as both the first and third are on IMDb’s top 250 but not this one, and the same is true of Empire’s list of 301 Greatest Movies of All Time. But I’m glad it is our Movie of the Week. There is a moment in this movie that can almost be described as having a transforming moment for computer animated

movies. There are sad moments in cartoon movies, but few can compare to the ones that Pixar puts before us. Before Carl and Ellie’s moving opener to , before wall is raised between two sisters who love each other dearly crushing their spirits and ours, and before heart-string-tugging moment where Nemo listens with childlike wonder to a pelican’s tale about his dad’s undying devotion to find him, we had an unexpected interlude telling us Jessie’s story. And this moment was definitely different than most. At this moment we weren’t given a sympathetic story of an already sympathetic character like Woody, Buzz, or even someone like Slink whom we’ve already grown to appreciate and love. She is brand new and a little too aggressive for Woody’s and our liking. She’s convinced that the best thing in the world for her is for Woody

to abandon Andy and move to Japan in a foam-lined travel case provided by a slimy toy salesman. And she’s not the quiet, attractive beauty who gracefully floats in and wins the heart of a main character. She is a yodelling cowgirl for Pete’s sake! (No pun intended Stinky Pete.) But when Sarah McLaughlin starts to sing, “When She Loved Me,” and we find out what happened to Jessie, we immediately empathize. We’ve been there. It’s good for us to hear this.

Like me you may have been torn about the plight of the toys in this movie. Maybe it would be better to go to the museum across the ocean. Being adored forever by children and adults alike? No being stored in darkness nor facing destruction by way of burning or decay in a garbage dump? I’ll take it! But we can relate to the desire for relationship over fame, fortune or mere existence.

When I shared my story about losing a child before getting to meet him/her, I was guarded just like Jessie. I couldn’t just blurt it out. I also didn’t want to share with someone who would simply explain my hurt away, nor someone who would bawl and say how sad it was. I just wanted to be heard. And like Jessie, I experienced healing after doing so. I’ve also listened to others’ tales and had to make myself not try and prescribe anything or impose anything on them. That too is a healing exercise for me. Listening is a self-sacrificing work that gets better with age, practice and love.

Congratulations . This is your week.

Best Actress:

Jody Benson as Barbie. She was great as Ariel and she stole the show, along with Ken, in . Which brings me to the next winner…

Best Actor: Michael Keaton as Ken. He was hilarious, and it’s nice to see an older actor who some accuse of being washed up sweep in and nail his role and win everyone over.

Best Quote: “You’re right, Prospector. I can’t stop Andy from growing up… but I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” — Woody in

Sometimes I feel a little guilty about the toys I’ve left behind in my life. Then I shake my head. It’s a movie you idiot! But I want to make the most of the relationships I have now while I still have them. I’m going to grow old and so will my wife. My kids will grow up. My dog will die. So will many people I love. But I’m not going to miss these things for the world. They’re my story. They’re all I’ve got.