In Director Jeff Fowler’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024), Keanu Reeves sublimely voiced super powerful hedgehog Shadow, who loved and befriended little girl Maria, played by innocent Alyla Browne. She was always kind to him. As both laid on the grass looking up at the stars, Maria said that their light travelled for over 100 years from a star that might have died.
Bright-eyed Shadow said, “The light shines, even though the star is gone.” Maria’s light shines for Shadow, even after she is gone, too. Sadly, Maria was killed in a horrific explosion. She was the most important person in Shadow’s life. I cried in the movie theater. I cried for Shadow, who couldn’t.
50 years later, consumed by vengeance Shadow fiercely battles super powerful hedgehog Sonic, voiced by Ben Schwartz. Still suffering with the pain over Maria’s loss, Shadow asks Sonic, “Did your pain eventually go away?” Sonic answers, “No.” He tells Shadow that you keep loving the one who is gone, because that keeps them with you. Maria’s light still shined for Shadow, he only needed to be reminded of that.
Of the ones I loved, their light shines, even though they are gone. My late Mom and the late Mizukami were the two most important people in my life. Although, they passed away several years ago, their light shines bright inside me.
When I was 8 years old, Dad scared me to my very soul. I was his greatest disappointment in life. I was not the son that he wanted. I got that I would never be good enough for Dad, that I would never be good enough for anyone, especially me. Mom got that, too.
When Dad scared the hell out of me, Mom said, “Jonny, slow down.” She was telling me to calm my soul, that things have a way of working out. Mom taught me that kindness and gentleness define a good man.
The late Mizukami Sensei taught me Aikido for 25 years until he passed away. Sensei was a father to me, taught me to be a good man, and make a difference for others. Sensei said, “Just train.” For the first time in my life, I didn’t have get somewhere or be someone else. I could be me. That was good enough. I was good enough.
In Aikido, Sensei said, “Wait it out. Enter the attack. Take a glancing blow if you have to. You’re not always going to get away scot-free. It’s one time.” Whether the 250-pound man punched to my face or life turned sideways, I do what’s meaningful to me.
When I’m afraid inside, I hear Mom’s voice, “Slow down, Jonny.” When I doubt in myself, think that I can’t, I hear Sensei’s voice, “You’re a better teacher than me.” Mom and Sensei are always with me. Their light shines, even though they’re gone. They shine inside me.
In Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Shadow and Maria laid on the grass looking up at the stars in the sky. Shadow poignantly said, “I don’t know what I am.” Maria gently placed her hand on Shadow’s heart. She said, “Who you are is in here.” I know who I am, because Mom and Mizukami Sensei are in my heart. I’m forever grateful for that. Forever grateful for them. I have a meaningful life, a life I love, because of them. Their light shines, even though they are gone. They were my stars.
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Photo by Ryan Hutton on Unsplash
