(Trigger warning) Going to say that my post may be a bit heavy for some.
I feel that being honest and up front is the best way to introduce myself and explain how I came about the forum. I watched the original countless times as a child. I loved it. It did make me sad too. I couldn’t imagine my mom dying and having to go through life like Littlefoot did. I had seen some of the sequels but not all of them. This first is my favorite due to its tone, themes, and score. It’s the most nostalgic for me. My parents divorced when I was 10, but I was watching the VHS release from Universal when I was 5-6 I suppose. I say that because that event in my life really made me attached to movies and their characters. It was an escape from the real world and friends that could help me through that pain that I didn’t really have as a kid.
Coming across Jenny Nicholson's video about LBT is how I heard about this site. I stumbled upon her video by doing lots of research and reading about animated classics that I loved as a child. (LBT, Charlotte’s Web, Bambi, The Fox and the Hound, Watership Down, Rock-a-doodle, The Brave Little Toaster, 101 Dalmatians, Lady and the Tramp, Balto to name a few) I love film, reviews, and behind the scenes creation stories. I was wanting to dive into the ones that were the first I ever saw. My nostalgic research was inspired because my heart has been in a time of longing for that child like innocence again. My mom has been battling cancer for over 6 yrs now. Recently received news from the doctors that her treatments are no longer working. Their estimated time she has left was 2 weeks to 2 months. (writing this at just over three weeks)
So looking back I can’t really interpret if it’s destiny, irony, coincidence, or preparation that the movie I watched and loved the most as child is centered around a mom dying early and her spirit guiding and instilling bravery in her son until he and his friends reach their promised land. It really shocked me revisiting LBT how unbelievably relatable it was here at 29 years old.
I’m sorry for the long winded and downer post. I’m not sure how much posting I’ll do but I’d like to explore the forum and read what others have to say. I just really wanted to say that to at least someone in the world. Especially fans of the movie that means so much.