Martian Child and “You Be The Storm”

Mark and I saw the movie Martian Child a few nights ago. It’s about a single dad (played by John Cusack) who decides to adopt a 8 year old boy. The boy is a bit odd and says he is from Mars, which one begins to wonder if it's true. There are some great scenes near the beginning where John Cusack is deciding whether or not to adopt a child that are helpful to anyone who is going through the process, or has already been through the questioning and self doubt that is an integral part of the process.

It’s also a recommended movie for anyone who has or is contemplating adopting an older child. The movie is based on a short story by a science fiction writer David Gerrold (who wrote Trouble with Tribbles episode on original Star Trek series). Gerrold based the story on his own experiences adopting an 8-year old from foster care. The DVD extras has an interview with Gerrold and the now-grown son he adopted. Very inspiring movie, althogh there are some unrealistic parts such as when the boy is interviewed by a room full of grownups who are judging whether the dad is fit to keep him.

The other day I was driving Ethan to school, and it was drizzling. He said it was “drooling” out, which I thought was a good way to describe it.

A couple of mornings ago Ethan decided to pretend it was very cold. He put on a little scarf taken from a stuffed bear, a winter jacket, sunglasses (aka ski goggles), and gloves. Then he told me to “be the storm”. I was supposed to make blowing noises, and he was going to fight the cold. First time I’ve been asked to play an inanimate object.