I won't be seeing the new "Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtles" movie, and not just because of my disdain
for Michael Bay's movies. The turtles once played a key role in our family life, but that was a couple of decades ago. I am, after all, pushing 60, my kids are mostly grown. From the
box office reports, it doesn't sound like they missed me.
But with all the hype the last few
weeks, it reminded me of one of the wisest things I've ever heard a
kid say. And I've heard kids say more than a few things.
It was 1991, and I had taken sons Jack
(10 years old) and Ben (5) to see "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
II: The Secret of the Ooze." It's the one with the classic
appearance by Vanilla Ice, who can now be seen in a mac and cheese
commercial, as a himself working in a supermarket. It's always nice
to see someone with a little perspective, who can poke a little fun
at himself.
A few days later I was walking through
Eugene's downtown pedestrian mall with the boys. And Jack went
running on ahead to a manhole cover. (For the uninitiated, if there
are any, the turtles lived in the sewers and emerged through the
manholes.) He peered at it closely, kicking at it once or twice, then
came back to me.
With a knowing look, he told
me, "Any place could be a secret passage. That's why I keep my
eyes open."
Something I try to keep in mind, as
life offers the occasional secret passageway. You've got to keep your
eyes open.
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