I was just watching E.T. with my newly 3 year old son Max. One of my all-time favorite movies and one of the very first movies that I saw in the movie theater. Anyway, he made it through the whole movie but not without a million questions all the way through. It amazes me how his little mind works! I was pretty impressed with the depth and understanding of his questions. But what touched my heart beyond words was to witness his sensitive little heart.
As you all remember the end, it's heart-wrenching. I bawl every single time I watch this movie, much like Terms of Endearment and Steel Magnolias, but I digress... As we are snuggling on the couch, he turns his cute little face to me with his big black eyes wide open and I can see tears forming. I ask him if he is crying and he starts bawling unconsolably. I couldn't believe that he understood at the depth that he did. As I hugged him and tried to comfort him, he just kept sobbing. I told him that I always cry too and that it was alright. I asked him if he would like me to hold him and he said yes. Well that is a moment every mommy loves, of course. I just took him in my arms and consoled his sweet little heart. It just touched me to see his sensitivity. He was happy that E.T. was going home to his mommy and daddy, but he really understood the connection that he and Elliot had and was so very sad that he had to leave him. He is just a sweet little pea. I hope he continues to grow with that kind of empathy and sensitivity as a man because that will make him such a great little human.
I had to get this one in the books as I must remember this story for Max some day...whether it's to understand him better in the years to come or share it with his first girlfriend!
