Colin the Jedi: A Star Wars Story
To say I had an affinity for all things sci-fi when I was a kid would be an understatement. It was more like a constant preoccupation. For a while, it was all about Star Trek. I could talk nonstop about the Enterprise and her crew. I drifted off to sleep each night, wondering what it would be like to have a tribble as a pet, or a Vulcan as my best friend. And I daydreamed my way through class every day thinking about joining Federation Starfleet and serving under Captain James T. Kirk. I was planning to replace Scotty as Chief Engineer. I had no idea what that meant, but it seemed like the job for me.
That all changed the day I saw “Star Wars”.
I remember the feeling like it was yesterday. I walked out of that theater completely transformed by everything I had just experienced. Maybe I was naïve, but it had not occurred to me yet that it was just a story. It was like a window to the future. The Jedi Order was genuine, and I could become part of it. The Force was real, and I could learn how to use it.
I was reminded of that feeling recently when a friend sent me a re-posted story about Colin, a young boy with autism who also aspired to become a Jedi. That is, until the terrible day he learned that Members of the Jedi Order were forbidden to marry. That just wouldn’t do.
Following his mom’s advice, Colin took matters into his own hands. He wrote a letter to George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, to ask that the rule be rescinded so he could get married AND become a Jedi.
You won’t believe what happened next! Here’s the original story, beautifully told by his mother, Peggy Gilpatric in Making the Jump to Cyberspace! Going Viral!
If you are a Star Wars fan or know one, chances are you’ve heard that May 4th is Star Wars Day.
How to Celebrate Star Wars Day
- Dress up like Star Wars characters and have a Star Wars-themed party or a marathon watch party!
- Try some Star Wars-themed recipes from StarWars.com!
- Greet everyone you meet with the phrase, “May the 4th be with you.”
- Binge-watch the entire series (in chronological order, of course) while cleaning the house and doing the laundry… or maybe that’s just my plan this year!
May the 4th be with you.
