Priceless

So today Johnnie has no school because it is Yom Kippur. And I started his day by actually having him watch a video about Yom Kippur and what it was all about. How it was the holiest day in the Jewish faith. How Jews practice atonement during this time. Of course Lisa and I have not raised Johnnie with any kind of religion whatsoever. He does ask the Universe not to give him bad dreams when he goes to sleep at night. I want him to know about the Higher Power of course and I will stick to steering him away from any type of religious practice. I am on the record that extremist religious practitioners have been largely responsible for most of the world's troubles for thousands of years. Yes that includes you too Crusaders. Hell why do you think I have a Spanish last name anyway?? But enough of that. Today I floated the idea that Johnnie and I should go watch Shang-Chi in the movie theater on his day off. And technically, since it's the Thursday after Tech Council Meeting day, it should be a TANK DAY for me as well. But alas I have back-to-back-to-back meetings all morning. I told him we'd go after lunch. I reminded myself just a week ago, I had a great golf afternoon after lunch and I intend to have a similarly nice afternoon today as well. Fortunately, Dennis cancelled our one-on-one which was the middle meeting. Kennedy was out so the IS Meeting went by very quickly, which left the EHR Team Meeting and that too was done inside of a half hour. And so I made Johnnie and I a boboli pepperoniand cheese pizza and off we went to the Landmark to catch the Shang-Chi movie. I posted a pic of the 2 of us. The last time Johnnie and I saw a movie inside a theater was a documentary about Egypt at the Cali Science Museum. When he was 3. This was actually the first time we're going to watch a big-boy movie together. And it sure was a BIG-BOY movie too. Funny how the theater actually had quite a few patrons. Much more than I thought for a 1 PM showing. As for the movie itself, I will admit there were parts where Johnnie closed his eyes and told me he was scared. But towards the end when Shang-Chi went to the mystical dimension of Ta-Lo and there were all these cool creatures, including a dragon Johnnie got really interested. Although by this time he had gone on to my lap. And there was where he saw the fight scene between good and evil, and the family scenes too. In my mind I was glad that there is a superhero he could identify with that looks like he does, just the same way African-American people identify with the Black Panther superhero and their advanced tech. Look at the last pic I posted of him doing imaginary fight scenes with his weapon(s) later on. In a word, the afternoon with Johnnie at the movies was... PRICELESS. It was one of those Magic Moment afternoons I won't ever forget. And I hope Johnnie doesn't either. And so it was that the rest of the afternoon we reverted back to script. I did some stuff for work, we went to Mitsuwa because I talked Johnnie into having a large bowl of udon for dinner. It was not too far from my mind that last week Lisa was having yet another meltdown about work. But I am prepared this time. And so when she called having the same complaints as last week. All I did was listen and ask how I could help. When I do that she will remember that all her problems have nothing to do with me. And in fact, she doesn't really even WANT ME TO HELP. I reminded her that perhaps when she sees her son. ANd Claire. And realize the magic they bring into life, then she can forget her problems if just for an instant. After all, I realized that magic this afternoon myself. Which made me able to handle whatever she can throw my way. She can TEN-RINGS me and all that will simply roll off my back harmlessly. And as it was it was a quick and quiet pick-up. Off they went and off I went to walk around my neighborhood. I reflected on my day some more. And basked in the gratitude of the afternoon. And quietly remote-hugged Johnnie and wished him a very good night.