The Lion King
The first movie Samantha ever watched was "The Lion King". I can still remember how excited she was about the movie. She watched the movie, over and over until, I was certain, she had it memorized. There is a scene in the movie where "Rafiki", the baboon, holds "Simba", the lion cub, up for all the kingdom to see. It is "Simba's" presentation to his future subjects. It is Samantha's favorite scene.
After several viewings, Samantha got to where she could not sit still for this particular scene. When it came time for Rafiki to hold Simba up, Samantha would spring to her feet, run to the tv, and hold her face...inches from the screen. She would stay there until the scene was over. I should have known there would be a time when Sam would carry her infatuation with this scene to the next level.
Like most men, I have my own way of dealing with emotional scenes. Normally, when I find myself viewing a scene that is about to take me to that level...the level, most men, refuse to share, I head for the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. If the scene takes me by surprise...giving no time for me to take my leave...I simply stare, straight ahead...blocking everything from my mind...it gets me through! Yet, there are times when I find myself moved to the point of being unable to dodge the waves of emotion that are quickly approaching.
Samantha was watching the "Lion King" and I was watching Samantha. When her favorite scene arrived, she stood to her feet, and started toward the tv. I did not notice the doll in her hand. As Rafiki lifted Simba into the air, Sam raised the doll above her head. "I can get through this!", I found myself thinking. When the scene was over, Sam lowered her doll, looked at me and said, "Again, Daddy!" I rewound the tape to the beginning of the scene and waited for Samantha to grab her doll. As Rafiki, again, began to lift Simba into the air, Sam jumped to her feet, turned to me and said, "Up Daddy!", motioning for me to lift her into the air.
Moving quickly, I was able to get behind Samantha, pick her up, and hold her aloft...before the waves of emotion, battering against my heart, could overtake me.
As I stood there, holding Sam, I found myself wishing that everyone could see Samantha as I see her. Like Simba, she is, truly, royalty...and I thank God, every day, for the honor of being a part of her life. If I could, I would climb the hightest mountain, and lift her up, for all the world to see. She...is a sight to behold!
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