May the Fourth Be With You Star Wars reflections on the Fourth of July.

Taking Your First Step Into a Larger World Joining the online SW fan community and learning that there were other Star Wars nuts out there as into the saga as I am.

The Force Runs Strong in My Family A look back at cherished Star Wars memories in my family.

A More Elegant Weapon for a More Civilized Age How Gentle Giant, Ltd. and Master Replicas made my collection more civilized and elegant.

"Obi-Wan, there. . . is . . . still. . . good. . . in. . . him." A look at the redemption of Darth Vader after Revenge of the Sith and how while Luke may not have remembered his mother, she was certainly a part of who he was and what he had become.

"She was very beautiful, kind, but sad. . ." In a movie full of tragedy and loss, it is Padme who loses the most, which makes Leia's memories of her mother all the more poignant and sad.

The Circle is Now Complete. . . Maybe Even though I've never been able to attend Star Wars Weekends at Walt Disney World, at least this annual event has brought about the realization of a dream come true for this Disney and Star Wars collector.

Leadership and Service: Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Padme How a guy who wanted to be a Jedi as wise as Yoda and as powerful as Qui-Gon learned that the Star Wars character he identified with most was Padme.

T minus 14 hours Enjoy this moment. There won't be another one like it. The saga will be complete in just a few short hours, and while I'm excited, it's also a bittersweet time for this lifelong Star Wars fan.