Toy Story: When Life Moves On Without Asking Permission
Toy Story becomes almost painfully different when you watch it as an adult. As a child, I saw toys that came alive when nobody was looking. I laughed at Mr. Potato Head, Rex, Hamm, and Slinky Dog. I watched Woody and Buzz argue and waited for them to figure out how to get back to Andy. It was an adventure. But somewhere between childhood and adulthood, Toy Story became a story about something much bigger. It became a story about change, belonging, friendship, purpose, and one of the hardest lessons we eventually have to learn: sometimes life moves forward whether we are ready for it or not. Woody begins the story completely secure in his place in the world. He is Andy's favorite toy. He sleeps beside him, leads the other toys, and knows exactly where he belongs. There is comfort in knowing our place. We like knowing who we are to people, what our role is, and where we fit. Then Buzz Lightyear arrives, and suddenly everything Woody believed was secure doesn't feel quite...