#75 “Merry Christmas, little fella. We know that you’re in there, and that you’re all alone.” Harry - Home Alone 1990
It's Christmas Eve and who's all alone? This movie takes me back to my childhood. Takes me back to that spurt of freedom we all wish we had as kids.; and eventually got from time to time. When Kevin asked to never see his family again; did he actually mean it? How many of you had said those things before? You know, where you were so mad that you just couldn't contain yourself against the words you blurted out? We've all ran to our rooms, we've all waited for mom to come back up the stairs and tell us it is going to be ok; we all have from one point to another wanted to just be left alone.
But, did you ever wish the family you were given would just forget about you?
If maintaining your independence as a kid meant gaining confidence as an adult; are we better off being alone sometimes to figure it all out? Or are we better off surrounded by people just to hide from the obvious? Often at times is protocol. As children we obey, as adults we set the rules. Would it be ok to reverse the hierarchy? Parents obey and children set the rules? Some houses are already about that. The kid runs the show, and the parents are casually accepting of the children's lead. It's purely chaotic.
If kids are supposed to be kids, and adults are supposed to be adults; why do some families reverse the power struggle?
Far too often I see kids having to grow up fast. They initially are the children taken care of, then they turn to the role of taking care of their parents. For some it happens well into the latter years, for others it can happen as early as age ten. When I was left home alone, I thought I found my independence as a kid. My parents trusted me; I was the man of the house. I could eat what I wanted, watch t.v. overly loudly, and I could basically play with anything I wanted. As it became a lonely chore after awhile; I really just wanted my family back home.
Do kids know what they want, or are they just speaking without experience?
Even though we think its so great to be alone, having that downtime to yourself is healthy. I strongly believe people don't like to be alone. People like to be surrounded. People like to be loved. Words can express love, but existence and presence demonstrate love. This holiday season is about togetherness, being grateful, and embracing those in which surround you. It might be fun to be home alone as a child; but as an adult we all need someone. As an adult its our time to reinvent that hierarchy.
"This is extremely important. Will you please tell Santa that instead of presents this year, I just want my family back. No toys, nothing but Peter, Kate, Buzz, Megan, Linnie and Jeff. And my aunt and my cousins. And in a few years time, my Uncle Frank. Okay?" - Kevin McCallister
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