On being thankful for Star Wars and the freedom of experiencing its legacy

There are many things to be thankful for, especially after experiencing these last couple of years. Family, housing, food, friends, pets and freedom come to mind instinctively. Thanks to the brave men and women of the military, it is with this freedom that we are able to live and enjoy life as we see fit and allowed the freedom to experience various media forms including film, TV shows, books, comics, apparel, toys and more — in particular to experience Star Wars.

I am thankful for Star Wars because it transports me to a galaxy far, far away. A place where heroes and villains clash with lightsabers, and armies are made up of rebels, stormtroopers, clone troopers and droids. A place where you can travel one side of the galaxy and make the Kessel run in 12 parsecs. A place where the force is the absolute power in the universe — an energy field created by all living things, surrounding and binding the galaxy together.

Star Wars allows us to witness good versus evil, the rise and fall of the chosen one and the subsequent destruction of the Jedi and the formation of the all-powerful Empire. After that we can witness the birth of the Rebellion and continuing adventures of Han Solo, Chewbacca, Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker, as the Rebels battle the evil Empire and vanquish the dark side of the force.

It doesn’t end there. We are along for the ride as the Mandalorian takes a journey with a young Force-sensitive creature resembling the wise Jedi Master Yoda. Even later on still, the emergence of the First Order and the continuing battles of a resistance group as the battle of good versus evil rages on, and still more and more adventures await.

The Star Wars universe is enormous and filled with so many brilliant characters that just about any random scene with any characters could produce the next spinoff show, comic, book or even film. And on top of that, there is the Expanded Universe. We are blessed to live in a world that allows us certain unalienable rights, such as the pursuit of happiness and freedom to… be able to visit the places you like… or do the things you like, as Padme might say. And Threepio might add: Thank the Maker!

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