Two Words To Say…Thank You

The world of Star Wars underwent some drastic changes this week and I just like every Star Wars journalist has been thrown a major curve ball. Many of us had plans for our fansites and podcasts, those plans have now fallen by the wayside. I am not unlike everyone else. The post that I had planned for November 1st was to be about the role of leading ladies in the Star Wars universe. Now I am faced with the task of breaking down the news that we received this week.

As I began to ponder what I could contribute to the conversation I began to realize that there is something missing in all the journalistic pieces filtering through the web. While it is fair to speculate what all of this means for Star Wars as well as Disney the missing piece to me seems to be the gratitude that is owed to Mr. George Lucas. I have seen one letter to the man himself written by Joey Esposito from IGN. As I read the letter I decided that my piece for November 1st would be my personal “Thank You” to George Lucas. I feel it is only right for me to write this publicly seeing as how without the world he created I would have nothing to write about. I am in no way trying to copy Mr. Esposito but his letter did inspire me to put more positive writing into the universe. I feel like he made the write call when he wrote his letter and I simply wish to express my gratitude as well. So with that I begin….

Dear Mr. Lucas,

I may never get a chance to meet you and say any of this directly to you however, I believe that as long as it is put out there for others to read the positive vibes from it will somehow find you.

Thank You, these are the two words that I have to express to you. I have been on this Earth for 27 years and I do not remember a single period of time in my life where I have not loved Star Wars. You gave Star Wars to my parents first and my mom made sure that I had seen every single one. We had marathons of Star Wars in our home and made a family event of it. My mom has even passed on her original action figures to my brother and I. I have had the pleasure of watching the re-releases in the theaters and in 1999 my life was forever changed. At the age of 14 I got to see Star Wars on the big screen with an all new movie. My life was forever changed that day. I quote Jar Jar Binks, I hum duel of the fates to myself, I have pretended to wield a double bladed lightsaber, I have dressed up as Padme from the battle of Geonosis, and I cry every time Order 66 is issued. For me you gave me 3 movies that would shape my future.

I began writing to express myself but for so long I had no where to go. I finally found my calling when certain people that you have taken under your wing began to flourish in the Star Wars fan community. I thank you for embracing the creativity of people like Kyle Newman, Dave Filoni, Ashley Eckstein and James Arnold Taylor. These individuals were pivotal in my growth. They gave me hope and strength of self. I learned to be proud of my Fangirl status and I learned that there is so much more to the world of Star Wars than films, books, comics and toys. There is a community. This new discovery brought me to where I am today. It is because of Star Wars and the community it has driven that there is room for people like me. People who write about being a fan and sharing that fandom with others. Even today without this announcement we are always finding news to share and things to talk about.

I owe my personal success to you. I never would have become a writer for Star Wars fansites much less have started my own had it not been for the galaxy you created. I have to thank you also for recognizing the proper time to let go. In life it seems that we all have to eventually let go and the key is to do so with the right timing. I feel blessed that you want the franchise to continue to grow and that you are willing to pass it off to others. I am thankful that you want to ensure the survival of something that so many of us hold so close to our hearts. While there are those that fear for the future the one thing we can take solace in is that the things that were created will forever be taken care of in the hands that you have placed it in.

I am very much looking forward to the new places that Star Wars will go and I thank you for giving that to us. Even though some may see you abandoning Star Wars I do not. I see you giving us the ability to have more of it. While we hate to see you go I know that you will never be gone. The mark that you have left on Star Wars will be seen forever. I wish you the best of luck in your retirement, everyone deserves a chance to breathe in their life and pursue new things. You will be missed but just remember this “When you wish upon a Star it makes no difference who you are, anything your heat desires will come to you.” I have no doubts that this is true especially for you.

Sincerely,

Teresa Delgado

For all of us that will forever cherish Star Wars take this to heart “When you wish upon a Star Wars…” the future for us is now wide open and anything is possible. A New Hope has arrived.

Teresa (@icecoldpenguin, @fangirl_ND) 

Star Wars nerd at heart and a pop culture fanatic. Fangirl blogger, movie and book reviewer. Avid reader and film goer.I love penguins! Creator of the Fangirl Next Door website and podcast and staff for Jedi News UK.

http://www.fangirlnextdoor.com/

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