"There was no Father, that I know of. I carried him, I gave birth ... I can't explain what happened. Can you help him?" Shmi Skywalker to Qui Gon in TPM.

Once again, I am shunned by this site for picture choice Oh well, that's what google is for, right? lol Anyway, the photo above, Shmi and little Ani is the best I can find for this here, Bloggity blog Yes, yes it has been far too long since I've done one of these. I have no excuse other than life's trials which has left me nothing less than busy Ok, moving on then...

For awhile now, I have pondered about Shmi's life and where she fits in our beloved Saga, other than the Mother of the "Chosen One." Her role is so short lived (no pun intended, folks) in TPM and very brief ( but no less important ) in AOTC, still I can't help but be captivated by her presence with the longing to know MORE! "I want more and I know I shouldn't" See...there's just something missing behind her story. It's how she's portrayed, the way she carries herself, mannerisms, her strong, yet hushed intellect, her sense of strength...almost beyond that of human nature... that of a Jedi . Am I wrong to wonder such traits, that may or may not really be there? So you ask, where am I pulling all of this from? Let's go here

"I'm sure Qui-Gon doesn't want to put your son in danger. We will find another way." Padme` to Shmi (TPM)
"No, Ani`s right. There is no other way. I may not like it, but he can help you."Gazing intently, focusing her eyes solely on Qui-Gon. "He was meant to help you." Shmi Skywalker.

Intriguing, very intriguing. At least to me. It's not necessarily the words there, it's the way it is spoken that sends a wave of chilling sensations down my spine. As if Shmi knows, or had known all along, that this was her sons' "calling" , that he was finally beginning his Destiny. Could it be that their life as Slaves was just a Decoy, much like that of Queen Amidala's disguise as Padme,` the Queen's handmaiden? Let's explore this, shall we?

It is completely obvious that Shmi knows far more about her son's exceptional skills that she leads Qui-Gon to believe. She stands silent, yet so strong, especially for someone who lives a "slaves life." Speaking of stands, ever notice how she "stands" ? Seriously, go ahead and pop in TPM, I'll wait She carries herself very "sure of herself" , so to speak. Straight and up tall, hands folded ever so slightly in front of her....almost, regal like...that of a diplomat What's so ironic, somewhat foreboding, is that some .... I dunno (not good at math ) let's say, 35 years later? There is another that holds her head high and stands that very same way. Only she is wearing, Senatorial Regalia, Yes...Princess Leia.

Ok, enough of that. It's just Food for thought, let those minds stir
So the seed is planted, teehee... It's possible, that Shmi Had to go into hidding, for one reason or another. I mean, let's face it, if I had some how miraculously conceived "the chosen one" I would try to cover up my whereabouts. And what better way then to leave the Republic and go to the Outer Rim and become one of the least sought after life forms the Galaxy had to offer; a Slave on Tatooine. Just a theory...

Then there's another option or thought, shall we check it out? Of course!
"The Force is unusually strong with him, that much is clear." Qui-Gon to Shmi. He could feel that the Force was with this woman, too, though not nearly so strongly as with her son. Where had Anakin gotten such strength? "Who was his Father?" Qui-Gon to Shmi... dialogue from The Phantom Menance, by Patricia C. Wrede - Scholastic Books.
Ok, so here is another angle, could Shmi have been Force sensitive herself? Why not? It would make perfect sense. Want to challenge this idea? Well alrighty then. Let's hop into Hyperspace and fast forward 10 years, shall we ? Again, on Tatooine, with a much older Anakin looking for his Mother. When first meeting the Lars, the question surrounds them; the whereabouts of Shmi Skywalker. Words were exchanged, pain and agony was felt by all, especially Anakin ... which bring us to this :
"She's been gone a month. There's little hope she's lasted this long." Cliegg Lars to Anakin (ATOC).

Ok people, let's put this into perspective. How many of us, humans I'm refering to, would have lasted such brutality for a month!!!! Come on, let's be realistic. Sure, we could argue that she hung on due to a Mother's love and hope that her child would come to her aide. Not about to disagree here, cuz I do think this played some part in it. Still, there's so many questions left unanswered. There's so much MORE I so desperately want to know about Shmi's background, her past. How she came to be, the remarkable woman who brought forth this enigma of a being. Who then later, answered his own Mother's wish, "That the biggest problem in the universe is no one helps each other." by giving that very Universe, the "so called Help" it so desperately needed... Luke and Leia; A New Hope.
"Now I am complete."

*sigh*...Thanks to everyone who took the time to read this little entry
It felt good to write again.
xoxo
To Mothers everywhere... there is no gift more precious, than that of a child. For they are our Future's Hope Love YOU, AS1 ((((HUGS))))
and all of you too
Angel B.