As we all know, this is the 10th anniversary of The Phantom Menace. I know we all have memories of where we were and what we were up to in our lives at the time. We also remember who we were sitting next to in the theater when saw the movie in all its timeless Star Wars glory.

I also remember where I was in my life at that time, and it is now bittersweet (to say the least) to recall those memories.

I was pregnant with Padawan #1 at the time I saw TPM in the theater, and I was seated between a 9 year-old little boy who was just crazy about Star Wars, and a 7 year-old little girl who was getting her very first taste of Star Wars...big-screen-style. A very nondescript memory, perhaps.

That 9 year-old little boy was my nephew Kurtis. He was a very intelligent and caring little boy who loved Star Wars, cows, tractors, bowling and baseball. He was also battling a rare childhood cancer known as Neuoblastoma. He was in stage 4 at the time, and was doing phenomenally well, despite the chemo treatments and radiation. We went to see TPM on an afternoon in June when he was feeling good enough to go to the theater and sit in those uncomfortable theater seats for 2 hours. I did not complain about being pregnant and hot, let me tell you.

My memories of that day include watching Kurtis out of the corner of my eye as the Boonta Eve podrace was in full-throttle. His eyes were huge as he watched little Ani weave in and out, and we could feel the thumping bass of the THX sound effects of Sebulba's pod in our chests. Kurtis was literally on the edge of his seat as he watched the lightsaber duel between Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan and Darth Maul! We had a lot of fun discussing the movie afterward on our way home, but we didn't go out to eat or prolong the afternoon because Kurtis was too tired to continue his day.

From then on, Kurtis developed a love of Star Wars Legos sets, which occupied him in his room when he should have been outside running and playing like other kids. Those sets also helped him get through his prolonged hospital stay when he had his bone-marrow transpant later that year.

Kurtis fought and battled like a true Jedi until he finally became "one with the Force" the following January at the age of 9 1/2. His bedroom is frozen in time, with all of his toys and bedding intact, just as he left it. The Legos that were put together by his hands are still assembled.

My oldest son, who is now 9 1/2, is a lot like Kurtis. He loves Star Wars, cows, tractors, bowling and baseball. He is a very intelligent and caring little boy. I also thank God every day that he and my other son (who is 7) are healthy. They both run and play outside, waving their lightsabers as they go. They also love Legos.

Kurtis would have been receiving his high school diploma with his graduating class this weekend. He will have an empty chair at the ceremony, complete with folded cap and gown laying atop. Another sad note - there are three other students in that very close-knit class who lost their lives for various reasons.

I often wonder what it would have been like for my boys to have Kurtis as their "mentor" and friend, as well as cousin. I'm sure they would have had a blast building Legos, having lightsaber duels and watching the movies together. I'm saddened that they missed out on the experience of that relationship, but their love for each other is strong, and their other cousin (remember the 7 year-old girl I spoke of?) loves them just as much as Kurtis would have. She is now almost 17, and goes by the blogger name of Darth Blonde! Ironically, Darth Maul is her favorite Star Wars character!

Happy Birthday, Phantom Menace.

I will always love you and miss you, Kurtis.

(This is a picture of Kurtis with my oldest son. It was taken just two months before he passed away)

I am disabling comments because I was just...compelled to share. This is a very powerful, personal memory for me, and it took a lot for me to post it here. I didn't want others to feel compelled to comment. Thanks for reading.

MTFBWY...always...

MO2YP