Harry Potter - My Mini-Tribute

      For me, it is the end of an era.  In case you are stuck, buried in some kind of hole, you may have missed that the final installment of the Harry Potter movies opens today.  To say that I am a fan is probably an understatement.  I have read the books countless times (I listen to the audio versions, which are brilliantly performed).  I have seen and own all the movies.  Sadly, I have never dressed as one of the characters, but only because the golden opportunity never presented itself.  If you are reading this you probably fall into one of two categories.
      Category 1:  The Harry Potter ♥er  - You also cannot wait to be transported to Hogwarts one day on that shiny red train and slip into this magical world.  You love the books, the movies and the entire story.
      Category 2:  Those Who Just Don't Get It  - You think I am a super-nerd (which I am) and think "fantasy" in general is over rated.
      (I guess there is a third category of people who think Harry Potter is evil, but I won't really bother addressing them in this post.  It goes without saying that I disagree.)  (Also for the record, John falls into Category 2, but is really gracious about my love for Harry Potter.  He has gone with me to release parties for the books and seen almost all of the movies on opening day in the theatre, though it should be noted that he almost always falls asleep during them.  God has wired us really differently in this regard, and I am sure it is probably a good balance.)
      I started reading Harry Potter in college just after the Goblet of Fire book came out.  It was when my dad was sick, and having a perfectly escapist world to slip into was a welcome reprieve.  And I was hooked.  We were in Northern Ireland when the 5th book came out, and I finished it in two days.  I remember laying in bed reading the 6th book several years ago and crying as Dumbledore died.  I think JK Rowling is a total creative genius, and that it is a masterpiece of work.  (I did title this post as a "tribute.")
      I am sad (and really happy!) that I will be going to see the final movie tomorrow night, because it means the end.  To me, I believe that good stories, I mean the epically good stories, can often mirror things about the real spiritual story of our lives.  That is part of what makes them so enthralling.  It is good versus evil, and we all want to cheer for a hero.  We all know that something is not right about the world that we live in, and that it needs to be redeemed by some one greater.  Some one who makes it all better.  I am not saying that Harry Potter is anything like Jesus - he is not.  What I am saying, is that something inside my soul cheers when good overcomes evil, when it is hard fought, but in the end, good wins.  I know that is my story.  Good will eventually win over our world as well, and I look forward to that day.
      So, now that I have either thoroughly bored you or weirded you out, I will wrap up this post.  Harry Potter - though the new things coming out about you will be all gone - you will not be forgotten.  And, John says we can go to Harry Potter World in Orlando this coming February when we are there for CFA Seminar - he truly is a gracious and loving husband!