Moana 2 Goes "Beyond" with 3 Spiritual Lessons

Last month, we took our five-year-old to see Moana 2 for her birthday. It was her first time at the movie theater and if her hanging off the handrail (like Moana hanging on the boat) is any indication, she loved the movie. Sequels are always hit and miss and while I can't pinpoint if I liked Moana 2 more or less than the original, but it resonated with me and hit me hard in the feels.

Spoilers ahead.

My 5-year-old was literally hanging onto the railing like this.

Going Beyond

Shortly after finding "Beyond" on Spotify, I shared my initial impressions about the song on the podcast. I went into the movie without much context for the song and was kind of worried that the context of the movie might change the song for me. Not so. 

With Moana going further than her ancestors had gone before, she risks never returning to her sister and she has to face fears she didn't know she had. Like her grandmother's spirit tells her in the movie, three years after her initial voyage with Maui, she knows what she has to lose now. This (the song and movie) all happened as I accepted and prepared for a new job. I was at my last job for over three years (not unlike Moana 2 taking place three years after the original).

Going beyond what's known or familiar is scary. I started my new job last week and I'm reminded how much I struggle with change--even when I know it's the right move. It's a good thing that my daughter loves "Beyond" so much because I've been using it as my anthem to give me strength when I feel too stressed or intimidated by all the changes. The fear is still there and there have been plenty of tears (the movie made my wife and I both cry) but there is resolve. 

I loved seeing other ancestors, like Tautai, as animal spirits.

Isolation

I tried to find the exact quote but couldn't, so I'll have to paraphrase. When the spirit of Tautai Vasa appeared to Moana to set off the adventure, he told Moana that isolation would be the end of their story. That's why the journey in Moana 2 was so important... Nalo had separated the peoples of the ocean and kept them isolated for generations. To join together and to grow together would mean life for Moana's people.

Similarly, the adversary often tries to keep us in isolation. Through sin, addiction, mental health struggles, or whatever else he can use against us, Satan wants us to stay isolated because he knows that's how our stories end. Before I met my wife, I thought of abandoning roommate life and living by myself. A wise bishop reminded me that "it is not good for man to be alone" (Genesis 2:18) and while that scripture is directly related to Adam's need for Eve, I've never forgotten how it applied to me. Sure, some people thrive living on their own, but I think that bishop knew me well enough to know that I'd end up isolated.

We need other people in our stories. That's why we have families. That's why we have the Church. And I can tell you the difference it makes for me when I reach out and actively avoid isolation (and I can "isolate" even when I'm surrounded by family, coworkers, patients, etc.). Even just in my first week, I noticed the difference I felt mentally and emotionally when I tried connecting with patients and coworkers, instead of letting myself drift into the background because I'm new and insecure. So while there's something to be said for "me time", nothing good comes from isolation. 

Getting Lost

I'm the type of person who likes to know what to expect and to have a certain amount of structure in my day. Even on a day off, I like to have a certain amount of plan to optimize my self-care (if that's even possible). Part of going "beyond" has meant having no clue what to expect in my new job and the new year. It's meant trusting in the Spirit's guidance as I figure life out day by day. 

While on the surface it sounded like a classic villain song, Matangi's "Get Lost" can be encouraging. Though it sounded like she was manipulating Moana, her advice was not unfounded. Despite my wish to have a clear path, my life has never played out like that. Sometimes the best advice really is to "get lost" and try something unexpected. Combine that advice with Anna's "The Next Right Thing" and it can be helpful in getting out of the rut I feel when stressors feel too heavy to carry. 

I could have a perfect to-do list and plan to get everything done and check all the boxes. Sometimes the best thing to do is go with the flow and "get lost". I don't know. I'm still figuring that one out, but in the movie Moana thought she knew exactly what to do or what she was supposed to do. And while Matangi's song sounded manipulative, it showed Moana how to get out of her own way so that she could rescue her crew (and Maui) and save her people.

"Beyond" These Lessons

I feel like I could keep saying more and more about this movie and the lessons I've learned from it and the songs. There are themes throughout the movie pointing towards identity, community, leadership, diversity, and self-confidence. I'll certainly watch it again after it hits Disney Plus (and I'm sure my daughter hanging off the couch this time) so don't be surprised if there's more Moana content from me in the future. Just like the credit scene setting up another sequel or Disney Plus series, there's more to come here.

Remembering "Angels in the Outfield"

I was recently asked to speak in a sacrament meeting about the ministry of angels. This led me to many wonderful talks and scriptures and experiences that I have had in being ministered to by angels. But it also led me to reflect on a favorite childhood movie of mine, “Angels in the Outfield.” So, I thought I’d use this post to share some things that stood out to me from the movie and who knows, maybe it will inspire a host of people to watch or rewatch it at some point in the next 10 years. 

First of all, it has a pretty star studded cast! I’m pretty sure I remember reading or hearing somewhere that it was Matthew McConaughey’s first movie (feel free to fact check me on that, I’m okay with that). Also, a young Joseph Gordon-Levitt, like before 3rd Rock from the Sun Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I remember learning that sometime after The Dark Knight Rises came out and my mind was blown. Danny Glover, Tony Danza, Brenda Fricker, Adrien Brody, Neil McDonough and Christopher Lloyd to name a few. It is always amazing to me to see what actors and actresses have done over the course of their careers and this was an introduction, for me, to many of these people. 

Secondly, it deals with some much deeper topics than just baseball. There is foster care, adoption, prayer, upcoming death, and believing in something that only you cane see. Foster care and adoption hit close to home as both have been a part of family members’ lives. 

Lastly, does have to do with baseball. I grew up in southern California and while I consider myself a Dodger fan, I did go to Angels games as well. I recall going with my late grandfather and having ice cream served in a small plastic baseball hat. I went to one of the world series games that the Angels eventually won. And I knew someone who housed the guy who Mike Trout replaced in the minors, so practically relatives.

I love going down memory lane. I love remembering movies of my childhood and Angels in the Outfield will forever be one of those films that I remember with fondness.

Bluey: A Pinnacle of (Family? Everyone's?) Animation

 

Gotta Love Big Beautiful Pictures of a Beautiful Dog Family

    

This is a remarkable time of life. We have access to all the animation of our childhood; whether that be Pokémon, Digimon, Winnie the Pooh, or even Peanuts specials, we can go back to the 90s and relive some of our favorite moments, like Ash meeting Pikachu, Tai wrestling Matt (or maybe you prefer Tai's wrestle with anxiety and fear at the pyramid...), or Winnie the Pooh and Piglet running from heffalumps and woozels. Or maybe you preferred Arthur, Sailor Moon, Gargoyles, or Magic School Bus. Or maybe you were a 2000s kid and watched Naruto or Avatar, or Spongebob, or an 80s kid an loved He-Man or She-ra; or maybe I'm too old to be writing about children's cartoons (I still need to watch Phineas and Ferb). We have access to so much that even now, shows seem so numerous as to be diluted in quality, and we are drowning in a sea of media. We forget the glory days, and we get lost in a blase, wishing for days of nostalgia. That's why Bluey is such a miracle. 

Set in Australia, and begun in 2018, Bluey is a preschool kids show. Except that everyone who loves and adores Bluey the most are not just preschool kids, or even elementary school kids (primary school for our Englishly inclined), but even teenagers, young adults, and of course parents. Children love Bluey. Their parents love Bluey. College students love Bluey. Everyone loves bluey. I bet my mom would love Bluey (you would too, if you saw it). So, what's to love? 

from Magic Xylophone

The first thing you'll notice is the vibrant color palette. This is a beautiful show. Every frame is full of detail, and everything helps paint the story, and the idea of this cozy little dog family. Not only that, but the expression and the movement of the characters is so well-done, that you can't help but appreciate every movement. 

from Sleepytime, a perennial favorite

Of course, you could imply some weakness in the design. It paints everything in a very bright, very "picture perfect" kind of light, which gives this challenge: are they maybe, "too perfect" looking? Of course we all know the ideal version of a dog family, but are they actually "real" and imperfect? Ultimately, that comes down to the animators. Sometimes they portray messy carseats, or a messy playroom, or cracks or leaves or hairs, and they'll put in all the details of a busy family with small children. There are even moments where we enter dreams and the imagination in ways that only animation could. This is a show that's got it.

Lovely "Jupiter" (Holst) theme

The second thing you'll have noticed (because you usually notice things you see first), is the fantastic soundtrack. From covers of the best classical music pieces of all time (and some that are particularly English and Commonwealthy), to their own original music, Bluey really smashes the keyboard. Or maybe it stretches some bowstrings. Most of the soundtrack has an energetic tilt to it, that breathes hope and life, but it also is very capable of taking time to breath. Bluey's soundtrack covers the range of emotion, from joy and manic energy, to calm, and even sadness. You'll find some of the strongest sound direction in television here. Oh, and an opening theme that can technically be conducted in 17/4 time.

Just a random, run of the mill background track, nothing special

However, the third thing you'll notice, and possibly the most powerful, is the depiction of strong, resilient familial and friend relationships. For instance Veranda Santa, an episode where family is over for Christmas, portrays the challenges of having a younger sibling or cousin who doesn't understand things well, but also how toddlers still have raw emotions when we mistreat them. This episode, which is only about six or seven minutes long, is able to convey in such a short time such strong concepts and emotions, even character development, that would make even movies blush. What's remarkable is how they're effective in doing this every single episode. Sure, there will be standouts, including ones where there is no dialogue, or ones that deal with particularly heavy adult issues, but these are all done so consistently with taste and with a brightness of hope, that I can't help but love the direction. This show covers such topics as relationship dynamics, methods of teaching, attitude cultivation, patience, mental health, and that's just scratching the surface. The depth here is deep, and appreciated.

from Veranda Santa

Of course there is another way that this show really shines, and in fact, it goes all the way back to 1995. Without being particular in every respect, the spirit of the show follows so well the ideals of the Family Proclamation, read in general conference by President Gordon B. Hinkley, that I couldn't help but read out this quote:

"Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners."  

-The Family: A Proclamation to the World

While even the religiously inclined would probably be shocked (surprised more like it) if a popular show depicted prayer or worship, the relationships depicted in this show so powerfully enshrine fidelity, love, respect, compassion, and wholesome recreational activities, that it matches so well with the Family Proclamation. As Brigham Young said, 

“[The gospel] embraces all morality, all virtue, all light, all intelligence, all greatness, and all goodness. It introduces a system of laws and ordinances.”

We can carry with us that light that we are able to find, whatever source it may, and incorporate it into our lives. Bluey shows the beautiful love and affection of family, activities and imagination that build and develops kids and adults, and how to live life well. If you haven't given it a watch, or have been wondering about the hype, go and give it a watch. It'll change your life. You can watch it on Disney+ (I know...). 

Easter and the End of the Long Dark Night

A few words that represent Easter to me are forgiveness, renewal, and hope. 

It’s the holiday that commemorates the great hope that Christ overcame the world for us. It also checks in after the first quarter of the year is through. By now, most of our New Years ambition has leveled out, and the craziness of the higher-expectation holidays has waned.

But the deeper meaning has to do with belief in the Savior, our redeemer, who cares more about us than we can imagine, even though we let each other and ourselves down, despite efforts not to.

I know I need reminders to have hope. It helps me to find renewal by asking myself what I have faith in, and who I want to spend my holidays with. I want to challenge myself to make forgiveness my normal response, rather than resentment, or despair.

So, this week I wanted to recommend The Haunting of Hill House.

This isn’t a late April Fool’s prank. I mean it, THoHH is an amazing show that I've watched all the way through twice now. My caveat is that it is a horror series. (audible gasp). If this genre isn’t for you, that’s fine. VidAngel does have filters to remove the swears, and any other objectionable moments, because this series can be morbid. No judgment here if you're not into it. I’m not recommending this show for children, or for anyone that feels it’s not right for them.

However, I do believe there is room for great storytelling even in genres conservative moms didn't like us watching, back in the day. If you are looking deeply at what the show is trying to say, you might find like I have that it moves and inspires me to be a better person.

So why would I recommend this series around Easter?

The storytelling is just phenomenal. A family is shown before, and after a hugely traumatic event that occurred during their stay at the Hill House. Their experiences there are plagued by ghosts, some merely menacing, and other definitely deadly. As the series progresses, the family must come together to prevent more losses to the evil of Hill House.

For starters, the show is really about family. The Crain siblings and their parents face trials and struggles like addiction, grief, betrayal, estrangement, childhood trauma, and unsolved mysteries. And yet, the ending depicts resolution and human transformation in a way that indicates even decades-old ghosts can be put to rest. The hope of the atonement (the atonement is the linchpin Christian doctrine that says Christ is capable of healing our souls if we let him) is that true healing can create new patterns that end the cycle of generational suffering. Even though the show does not explicitly mention gospel topics with language you would hear in a Sunday-school lesson, I hear loud and clear that my human imperfections can be overcome through finding strength I wouldn't know was there if I wasn't looking for it.

The Dudley family, caretakers of Hill House, experience a horrible tragedy, which the Crain family finds a way to do what they can to ease their suffering. There are wounds that will always be a reminder to us, and THoHH is a story that to me, says you are not alone. Sharing the wound might be the thing that shows someone you understand.

I find that the way I experience horror is strangely close to the way I experience empathy. Both are difficult in the moment, but afterwards I find that facing fear and pain of another person expands my heart and makes more room for me to see life from a new perspective. True empathy is the difference between observing someone’s pain from a distance, and actually going and sitting with them, and letting down all my barriers so I can feel as much of their pain as possible myself. It’s very easy to find ways to avoid moments of ambivalence or distress, whether they are from someone else, or even from my own mind. But living through that pain through great art is a needed bridge to opening up healing conversations.

Like great music, great horror films create a moment where we can vicariously experience emotions. Spoiler warning, Hill House does not have an entirely happy ending, but it does show that the Crain siblings have become new people by the end. Their trials and tribulations have taught them by the end how to live more in line with higher values.

When I was a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints we often said that we didn’t want to take away any of the good things from people’s lives by sharing the gospel with them. We simply wanted to add more goodness by sharing what we knew. I find that the values that are the foundation of THoHH are what the hope of Easter is about. Our families and communities can overcome the absolute worst that life can and will reveal to us. As much as we wish we could just avoid struggles in life, a wiser plan is to learn how to face and survive them. Even if it seems that all hope is lost, and that the nightmare has come true, that is the time when we must still have hope.

The resurrection is the reality that the sun does rise and reveal a bright and glorious morning for us all. The end of the dark night will come.

Wakanda Forever!

 (Guest post by Justin)

While I do not consider myself as someone with deep feelings and fandom for Hollywood, the passing of Chadwick Boseman shook me. I had loved the man for years as he powerfully portrayed many of my heroes such as Thurgood Marshall and Jackie Robinson in film. I assumed he would continue to carry the mantle of many of the phenomenal actors that came before him like Sydney Portie and Denzel Washington. He seemed poised to build on his phenomenal legacy for generations to come. But then, just like that, he was gone, leaving a massive hole in the hearts and minds of many of us – including the plot of a historic franchise. How do you replace a legend? You cannot. However, you can celebrate their life and you can honor them by building upon their legacy. That is what Ryan Coogler and the cast did in Wakanda Forever. Some of my impressions are below.

• Losing someone is hard - There is no one way to deal with grief when you lose a loved one. The whole spectrum of grief is manifested by the family and friends of King T’Challa - Princess Shuri, Queen Ramonda, Nakia, Okoye, and M’Baku all deal with the loss in different ways. Ultimately, death and grief is hard and messy and processing it takes time. 
  
  
• “Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning." (Psalm 30:5) - As alluded to, the film shows how loss and grief is not a clean linear process (it takes more than a day), and it is something that will have resounding effects throughout one’s life. However, characters in the film still manifest joy at times as they process the grief that comes with losing a loved one (many manifest joy in King T-Challa’s funeral procession).
  

• Black is beautiful, powerful, and worthy of emulation - This almost goes without saying, but this film, as well as the last, brings to light the beauty and power of black culture both in Wakanda & the US. Whether through traditional African ceremonies, language, clothing or pop culture, the experience and rich history of many in the African diaspora are centered and celebrated in ways rarely seen in traditional mainstream media.
  
  
• Women are straight bosses - Whether it be some of Christ's most faithful disciples or the women in our own lives, we know who runs the show and makes the world go ‘round. The film celebrates and centers the power of black women – queens, princesses, military leaders and technological innovators who thrive in spite of the disproportion obstacles they have to face.
  

• Imperialism has dire consequences - I know, shocker. We see in the film (and world history) the tragic consequences when colonizers move in and destroy civilization, leaving death and fear in their wake. The antagonism of Namor and his people is rooted in the abuse, subjugation, and displacement they endured. Imperialistic friction is also prevalent and exemplified by the efforts of other world leaders seeking to steal the resources of Wakanda.
  
  
• “Villans” are people too - Although more of an anti-hero or antagonist than a true villain, like Killmongerer, Namor is a complex individual whose murderous actions are rooted in childhood trauma and a desire to protect his people. While you might not like the death and destruction caused, you can understand the “why” of his thinking and he comes off, dare I say, as sympathetic. 
  

• Family is forever - As we saw in the first film, the Ancestral Plane in Wakanda Forever continues to reaffirm that family bonds are meant for more than just our mortal lives. Indeed, the communications from the ancestral plane provide key guidance for Princess Shuri and exemplify how loved ones continue to be invested in our personal well-being even when they are no longer with us physically.

For millions, particularly in the black community, Chadwick Bosemen, was viewed in the light of royalty for his iconic personae, life, and entertainment contributions. While not a perfect film (I’m hoping/expecting some of the plot holes to be filled by the next film), I believe it accomplished the nearly impossible task of mourning, celebrating, and building upon the legacy of one of the greatest entertainment icons of our time, while developing an engaging and sustainable storyline. (Remember, like everyone else, Chadwick’s death was a surprise to Ryan Coogler and the directing team and he had to scrap the already completed Black Panther 2 story/script and start again).

While I do not believe any of the characters in the film have the character strength and staying power of T'Challa (at least to this point) I think the runway is there for exceptional and engaging stories and characters as the franchise continues. While long (but not too much so for me), I see the film as preparatory, similar to Infinity War, that will allow for more exciting character and story exploration and development in future films 

While not present in the film and no longer living in this world, King T’Challa and Chadwick Bosman, respectively, will continue to have significant influence over the Black Panther franchise and individuals lives, including my own. In addition to his many other accomplishments, I am grateful for all that Chadwick brought to the franchise and his impact on the MCU and I am excited at what the future holds.

Rest in power, King.

You're the Real Gift, Kid

Let’s talk about Bruno.

I have watched Encanto so many times in the past few months, and most of them WITHOUT my kids. The story is relatable and fresh. The characters are vibrant. The music is … well, LMM is a genius. But I really think that the reason I keep coming back to Encanto is because I identify so closely with Mirabel. I just thought it was because I sometimes feel different, and maybe a little effervescent. But after my last Madrigal Marathon, I realized that there are certain energies at play with more characters than just Mirabel. And this speaks to me.

Abuela wants structure and order. She holds on too tight sometimes. She's not the bad guy, she's not doing anything wrong, she’s not “the villain in your history”. She just wants to hold on to her family. 

Mirabel is shaking things up, finding new purpose, injecting life into her sisters. As she says, she is trying to get others to “open your eyes.” She’s not messing things up, she’s not endangering the magic, she’s not the villain either. Mirabel is never given a gift. Her real gift is empathy and joy and love. The fact that she’s alive is a miracle. 

What they never really address in the film is that Abuela is the only other person who doesn’t have a gift. She can’t do magic, she can’t do any of the things her children and grandchildren can do. Abuela’s real gift is organization and order and a lack of chaos. Abuela’s gift isn’t as flashy as her progeny’s gifts. And it’s not as coveted as Mirabel’s gift. But Abuela’s gift is essential to the household. She is stern, but she needs to be, to keep the family together. But Abuela is also afraid of the future, and so she shuns Bruno. Bruno, who is the literal embodiment of the future. 

Mirabel sings that she wants to heal what’s broken. Abuela says that the family is broken. How does Mirabel heal things? How does she save the miracle? She brings Bruno back and reunites him with his family. She heals the family. She saves the miracle. That act of love and empathy IS the miracle. And when Mirabel brings Bruno back, the first thing Abuela does is hug him. She embraces the future. 

I want to heal what's broken. The gifts I've been given in my life are my empathy, my enthusiasm for life, and my ability to connect with others. I've been broken by trauma over the years, and I'm surrounded by people who are broken for various reasons. As I embrace the future and open my eyes, I see myself, and I can heal what's broken.

Families Are Forever ... Even on Tatooine

The second episode of the incredible Book of Boba Fett is called "The Tribes of Tatooine", and indeed, it very much explores the themes of tribes and family. When I first watched the episode, I found it difficult to connect because halfway through, the story switched from "present" day, to a flashback. It felt like two mini episodes that were disjointed and had nothing to do with each other.

But after watching a second time, I realized that both halves of the show were about the same theme: Family. Tribes. Belonging. 

In the present time, we are made to believe that Boba Fett has no idea what it's like to be part of a family. Fett is trying to fight against the Hutt family. The mayor tells him, "Running a family is more complicated than bounty hunting." True! Fett is viewed by others as a bounty hunter without any loyalty or affiliation to a family. A notion that is accentuated by the fact that he is a clone who lost his father at a young age. Boba never really had a family. He doesn't belong anywhere.

But in the second half of the episode, we learn that nothing could be further from the truth. We see, in detail, how Boba Fett gained trust among his captors. Maybe there was a bit of Stockholm Syndrome, but Boba Fett knew that the Tuskens were not "bad" people. They saved him and cared for him. They taught him. They trained him. And when he showed kindness and generosity to the Tuskens, they returned those gestures in kind. The Tuskens even permitted Boba to go on a spirit quest, take part in their rituals, and rise to a prominent position in the tribe. Indeed, if there's anybody who knows what it means to belong to a family, it's Boba Fett. 

The two halves of "The Tribes of Tatooine" pose a question about Fett's character, and then answer that question.

This got me thinking about what it means to be part of a family. I have the most wonderful, most nurturing family in the world. All of my seven siblings are individual weirdos, but we love each other so much and get along famously. We have always been close, but our bonds were forged stronger when my brother died a few years ago. 

On the other hand, I recently got a divorce. I worried about what that meant for my eternal family. Was a breaking up my family, which is a common argument against divorce? Would my kids be lost? Would I still belong to a family? As I have pressed forward on this new path in my life, I have learned what it means to be part of a family even moreso. I'm closer to my kids than I have ever been before. I am a happier and more authentic person, so I am more emotionally available to "be there" for my kids. My family never broke up, we just shifted our responsibilities. I still preside, provide, and protect. My ex-wife still nurtures with love and righteousness. We are still equal partners, we just don't live together. Our "other circumstances necessitate individual adaptation". 

Families come in many shapes and sizes and arrangements. Be it a traditional family with two parents, a blended family, a single-parent family ... or a Tusken tribe. 

This Is For The Grandmas Who Don't Like To Bake Cookies

Pixar's newest Sparkshort, Nona, is so relatable it hurts! I'm not a wrestling fan, but I relate to everything else in this short, from the routine of making sure that my "me time" is uninterrupted, to putting some extra sweetener in my drink. And yes, to having kids interrupt my plans. 

And then to finally giving in and realizing what's most important in life: elbow drops off the ropes of a wrestling ring!

Like all Pixar productions (this one made entirely at peoples' homes during quarantine), Nona knows exactly how to tug at the heartstrings and still stay real. It balances sentiment with truth. It tells a compelling and fresh story without being cloying or preachy. In less than 5 minutes, we meet a grandmother who has lost her husband, but finds great joy in watching campy wrestling. Her granddaughter, full of kitty charm and sparkly stickers, interrupts her routine, and Nona is faced with choosing family over comfort. They find a compromise where the two wrestle in a crazycool fantasy sequence, complete with a high five to a durag-outfitted moon. 

Nona feels a little bit like one of those LDS ads encouraging families to spend more time together. But in a good way! There's something about the moment when Nona's television gets knocked over. She turns in anger and frustration to this cutie pie terror who has ruined her plans, but then suddenly melts in sadness. And we instantly know that Nona isn't just crying about her ruined plans or outdated television. She's mourning the loss of her dear husband. The audience is left to fill in the blanks, imagining the countless hours she and her husband spent fangirling over Jaz-Mean and Miss-Terry duking it out in the ring. 

We all have different ways of dealing with death, and mourning those we have lost. We all do what we need to get by. And who am I to say that one way of mourning is better than another? But for me, I have found that pouring my efforts into spending time with the living is the best way for me to honor the dead. For me, nothing beats quality time with family. Family: isn't it about ... time? Nona learns this, as she wrestles with her granddaughter and ends up having an even better day than she planned. 

Even if it includes mindlessly watching the brain-numbing Kitty Kitty Dance Party.

Children of Eden

There is a local theater near me based out of St. James Lutheran Church, headed by the incomparable Karen Dundore-Gulotta. I had the chance to sit down with Karen, who is equal parts passionate and compassionate. Karen and I talked all about her latest production, Children of Eden. In 1991, Stephen Schwartz (who also wrote Godspell, Pippin, The Prince of Egypt, and Wicked) wrote Children of Eden, a musical that tells the story of Adam and Eve in the first act, and the story of Noah's family in the second act.

Latter-day Saint Geeks: How does the story of Children of Eden compare to the actual events of the Bible? 

Karen Dundore-Gulotta: I try to live my life in a way that is an example to others. Love other people, whether they are like me or not, no matter what they look like, their sexual preference, their beliefs, none of those things matter. I try to love all people the best I can. So I have a hard time conceiving that the story of Noah's Ark even happened, that God would wipe out so many children from the earth. I don't know what actually happened, but it helped me to think about the story as being symbolic rather than literal. Indeed, the story of Children of Eden doesn't exactly follow the Bible version of events, anyway. So we aren't here to argue what's factual or not, we are here to tell a story about parents and children. 

Latter-day Saint Geeks: What are some of the lessons we can learn from Children of Eden? 

Karen Dundore-Gulotta: We learn about parents and children and family relationships. We also learn about forgiveness. For instance, the character of Yonah (who has the Mark of Cain and is doomed to die in the flood), doesn't have a mean bone in her body. She forgives Noah for telling her she can't be on the ark, and she forgives the family for treating her like she was "less than". The musical states that "the Mark of Cain rose up in all of us, but it never rose up in you". There's also forgiveness in Eve's character. She forgives her son for killing Abel. Adam forgives Eve for disobeying The Father when she eats the fruit. I think there's a lot of lessons about forgiveness. You can ask for forgiveness from God, or within your own community, family, or circle of friends. We also learn that parents never give up on their children, even when they choose a path that isn't what we intended for them. The Father never gives up on Eve, and comes to her in a truly touching scene before she dies. Adam and Eve never give up on their children, even if they make big mistakes. 

Latter-day Saint Geeks: How do the characters grow in Children of Eden?

Karen Dundore-Gulotta: There is repetition in the show, with lines and situations that are similar even though they play out differently in various family groups. It seems many mistakes are made over and over again. The horrors of the holocaust happen over and over, and we don't seem to learn from it. One of my favorite lines is in the end of the musical: "Our hands can choose to drop the knife. Our hearts can choose to stop the hating." I wanted the audience to feel that they were part of something bigger than themselves. They are part of a community. We can put down the knife and move forward even when we disagree on things. There is a character, Yonah, who has the "Mark of Cain". I knew I had to be careful with the mark I used, because at various times throughout history, people thought the Mark of Cain could be different things. People thought the Mark of Cain could be those who were disabled, or had a birthmark, or were disfigured in some way. People even believed that African American people had the Mark of Cain. So we made the Mark of Cain into a birdlike shape. In the play (not in the Bible), it's Yonah who releases the dove. So the dove AND the Mark of Cain became symbols of hope for us. 

Latter-day Saint Geeks: Any last thoughts you want to share?

Karen Dundore-Gulotta: I believe that every person who is born has a purpose for being here. And that's what I try to convey to the kids in the show when I'm directing: no matter who you are or what you believe, we each have a purpose for being here. We can use our purpose for good or for evil. Remember, "Our hands can choose to drop the knife." The knife represents our opinions of people, especially those who are different than us. We can put down the knife. We can live and let live. Support each other. Forgive each other when we make mistakes, big or small. I think that's the biggest takeaway from the show. 

Latter-day Saint Geeks: Thank you Karen. 

Geeky Gifts for Nieces and Nephews from a Weird Uncle

It probably comes as no surprise to anyone who reads this blog that I take pride in being a geek. While when I was younger, there were aspects of my geekiness that I kept hidden to avoid appearing weird to others, I am no longer ashamed of my interests.

In fact, recently I was a volunteer staff member for a training experience for young men, in which older men that mentored these younger men were affectionately referred to as “weird uncles.” Although I am not old enough to be an uncle to most of these young men (as most of them were in the age range of my younger brothers), after a bit of thought, I realized that I am a weird uncle to my own nieces and nephews, and it is a title I claim with joy.

My niece, Aili, receiving a more traditional gift for Christmas

When my first nephew was born, I tended to give him gifts that were more mainstream. I didn’t want to give him something I would have liked if he wasn’t likely to enjoy it. Though over time, and as more of my nieces and nephews joined the family, I found that I could find a balance between the two. I could still be the weird uncle that gave geeky gifts, though I could also do my best to make sure they were gifts that my nieces and nephews would also enjoy.

And I’m definitely starting to see that my nieces and nephews have their own geek interests. My oldest nephew is really into Minecraft and likes Avatar: the Last Airbender (even dressing as Avatar Aang for Halloween once).

I gave my nephew, Robby, the XBox 360 edition of Minecraft for Christmas

The oldest of my nieces has developed an interest in superheroes (due in no small part to the influence of her dad), and whose favorite superhero is the Flash. When she was only four years old, I can recall her correctly naming all the characters on a Justice League t-shirt I was wearing.

I gave my niece, Evie, a Lego
Justice League t-shirt for her birthday

Another of my nieces is a big fan of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I have often found her watching the latest TMNT cartoon series, and take an immediate interest to anything turtle related.

I gave my niece, Kylie, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles t-shirt for her birthday

While some of my nieces and nephews are still too young for me to have noticed any particular interests yet, I no longer shy away from giving them geeky gifts. I will still get gifts that I believe fit their personalities and see if doing so might pique their interest in something new. If they don’t take a particular interest in that, I always have the opportunity to try something different the next time.

I gave my nephew, Kelly, a Superman t-shirt for his birthday

I have found that my gifts to my nieces and nephews (and to others as well) not only gives me the opportunity to express my geeky nature and be a weird uncle to them, but also gives me a chance to relate to them around common interests. I have had many a discussion around Minecraft, the Justice League and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with them.

My niece, Jolene, being taught superhero
poses by her dad, while wearing the
Supergirl shirt I gave her for her birthday

Although they are still young, it’s fun to see them begin to get into some of the fandoms that I have loved for years, and find their own interests that they may come to enjoy and love for years to come.