It always comes back to the cinema, or so it seems.  DJ and I would go to the movies together all the time.  It was often our own private sanctuary from the world outside… where I was being demanded to provide for a broken household and where he was being demanded to become more independent quickly.  Once that piece of paper had been handed in, he could act his age… and I could act his age.  I tend to think that I won our more on that deal, but he did get to eat a large popcorn by himself… even if it took him two days to do it.

Yesterday, Poppy and I traveled out to New Jersey to take the Wolves to see Diary of a Wimpy Kid.  The book has a bit of special meaning, because I had bought it for the Professor back in 2007 soon after DJ was lost to us.  I’ll admit it, I read the book and really enjoyed it.  I like to think it helped him as he transitioned from one school to another and from being 1 of 5 to 1 of 4.

The movie itself was a really great translation from the book, including the drawing style that had made the book so rich and unique.  It’s the kind of film that I would rank up there with Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club.  It’s not really the Diary of a Wimpy Kid as much as it is the Diary of Every Kid, whether they want to admit it or not.

There was one part of the movie where I felt myself blown away by the philosophical truth in the statement.  In an attempt to remain spoiler free, it comes from the main characters mother when they are discussing choices and whether or not the main character should do something or not do something.

She says something along the lines of, “The choices you make are what defines you for the rest of your life.”

It’s so obvious.  So simple.  So true.

Add on “and will shape the lives of those around you” and there would be the true meaning of life.

If it weren’t already 42, that is.

And when I walked out of that theater it really had me thinking… and a wave of sadness descended upon me because I don’t think DJ realized how important he was to me.  I don’t think he realized how he shaped my life for the better.  I hope that the next time we meet, I’ll have the chance to not only tell him… but to show him.