You know those lists that come out every summer, telling us about this years incoming college freshmen? If you haven't seen one they usually start like this:
This year's freshman was born in 1990 (yes, 1990). The first president they remember is Bill Clinton, and many don't know who Ronald Reagan was. They don't remember the cold war, the Berlin Wall or the USSR. They've always had VCR's, DVD players, cell phones and the internet. Harry Potter could be a classmate, the Tonight Show has always been hosted by Jay Leno and Madonna has always been a mom.
Scary huh? It's very easy to forget what our kids won't remember. I think my parents did a pretty good job of teaching me about important things that happened before I was born. My dad always liked the quote, ' those who do not know history, are doomed to repeat it.' My family came to this country as immigrants, and I know many of their stories because they took the time to tell me. I've seen the passport photo that my great-grandmother displayed when she landed at Ellis Island. I've heard stories of the week my grandfather spent crossing the Atlantic with his sister. And how after spending months earning enough money to bring the rest of the family over, he was promptly drafted and shipped back across that ocean. I can appreciate the doors that are open for me, because I know about the ones that were closed to them.
It's not easy to explain to children about the past. Most of their time is spent focused on the present. One of the ways my parents helped us to understand was through movies. I remember watching 'It's a Wonderful Life' over and over with my dad. Anything about Ireland was also playing frequently at our house. Now that my daughters are growing up, I started to think about a list of movies that I want them to see, even if it's just once, so that they understand the time and place, the struggles and the triumphs. Many will have to wait until they are older, but I'm writing them down so I don't forget. Here's my list, feel free to add:
1. It's a Wonderful Life
2. Saving Private Ryan
3. Life is Beautiful
4. Gone With The Wind
5. Back to the Future (just for fun)
6. Goonies (again, just for fun)
7. Places in the Heart
8. Apollo 13
9. Schindler's List
10. The Wizard of OZ
11. The Sound of Music
12. Forrest Gump
13. Titanic (my husband is rolling his eyes)
14. Moulin Rouge
15. Mary Poppins
16. E.T.
17. The Natural
18. Field of Dreams
19. Hoosiers
20. The Adventures of Natty Gann
21. Erin Brokovitch
22. The Color Purple
23. The Pursuit of Happiness
and many more to come...
Obviously many of these will have to wait until they are much older. For now there are so many great kids movies that I can't wait to watch with them.
Enjoy!
