Not only did we witness the young actors Daniel Radcliff, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Tom Felton, Oliver Phelps, James Phelps, Matthew Lewis, Devon Murray, Harry Melling, Joshua Herdman, Alfren Enoch, Bonnie Wright and Evanna Lynch grow up before our eyes. They sacrificed any sense of a normal childhood to portray the beloved characters of JK Rowling's imagination.
As a mom as well as a fan. I must say that these young people have set an extraordinary example to the youth that looks up to them. They have shown maturity, kindness, charity and friendship. There were no headlines of drug, alcohol abuse, no feuds nor fights on the set. They have handled their fame admirably. True role models for even their youngest of fans.
Perhaps it was the positive influence from the award winning, who's who of the British film and theatre world, who set their example. Richard Harris, Michael Gambon, Maggie Smith, Julie Walters, Mark Williams, Fiona Shaw, Richard Griffiths, Emma Thompson, Robbie Coltrane, David Thewlis, Gary Oldman, Timothy Spall, Jason Isaacs, Ralph Fiennes, Warwick Davis, Helena Bonham -Carter, Robert Hardy, Imelda Staunton and my favorite actor of them all Alan Rickman as Severus Snape.
I often wonder how many roles these talented actors gave up to see this through to the end. All while giving performances that were certainly above the bar set by other young adult films. Perhaps they too saw what so many of that read these books to our children saw. A world full of imagination, that there is light and dark in all of us. However in the end good prevails, that friendship and love are worth fighting for.
When I asked my son what is was that make so many love Harry Potter. He replied" Because there is a character that everyone can relate to." We all have a bit of the insecurity of Neville, the brains of Hermoine, The loyality of Ron, The humor of Fred and George, the whimsy of Luna and the Bravery of Harry." "When our own lives become stressful we can visit Hogwarts knowing that someone is going through the same things."
This is evident with all the Harry Potter sites on the Internet. For a decade these kids who are now are in their teens and 20's gathered. So while on July 15th they will be saying goodbye to the films, they will also be saying goodbye to their childhoods, a community, their surrogate family. For us parents, We watched as Harry Hermoine and Ron grew up along with our own kids. As the credit roll after the midnight showing, for the very last time. I will look at my children remembering all the moments we spent in the wizarding world together. Pass the tissues, this mama is going to need them.
To JK Rowling, Thank you for never giving up on your dream. For believing that the world needed Harry Potter as much as he needed us to know him. You are an inspiration to all, who once thought it was too late for their dreams to come true. For everyone that had a part in the Harry Potter series, From the bottom of my heart I say, Thank you for the memories. Mischief Managed.
