Angie Valencia-Martinez

Angie Valencia-Martinez

The Frank Chronicles

http://www.martinezmothership.blogspot.com/

email addy: angievalencia0207@gmail.com

A while back, I read a story that moved me to the core. As a human being, woman, and mamasita.

The story was featured in the Orange County Register and it was about a 10-year-old girl – who was dying of cancer – and her wish to see Disney Pixar’s “Up,”

Here’s an excerpt from the story written by staffer Annie Burris:

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HUNTINGTON BEACH – Colby Curtin, a 10-year-old with a rare form of cancer, was staying alive for one thing – a movie.

From the minute Colby saw the previews to the Disney-Pixar movie “Up,” she was desperate to see it. Colby had been diagnosed with vascular cancer about three years ago, said her mother, Lisa Curtin, and at the beginning of this month it became apparent that she would die soon and was too ill to be moved to a theater to see the film.

After a family friend made frantic calls to Pixar to help grant Colby her dying wish, Pixar came to the rescue.

The company flew an employee with a DVD of Up, which is only in theaters, to the Curtins’ Huntington Beach home on June 10 for a private viewing of the movie.

The animated movie begins with scenes showing the evolution of a relationship between a husband and wife. After losing his wife in old age, the now grumpy man deals with his loss by attaching thousands of balloons to his house, flying into the sky, and going on an adventure with a little boy.

Colby died about seven hours after seeing the film.

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When I read this story, I cried. I couldn’t help it. I was overtaken with emotion. I was at my desk eating lunch like any other day. This is when I usually catch up on reading articles because I love the art of storytelling. It’s in me!

Unfortunately, I did not get the chance to see the movie “Up” when it first came out. It’s kind of difficult with a super active toddler who can’t stand still for more than 10 minutes. But this story was so powerful that it made me want to watch the movie to see why such a sweet angel like Colby – may she rest in peace – would want to see it so bad.

Just last night, I received a nice little gift. I was given the opportunity to watch the movie before it is sold in stores starting next Tuesday. I was super thrilled.

So I gathered my Franky (dad was playing soccer) for some mommy-baby quality time. Immediately, Franky kept saying “balloons, balloons.” That’s when I knew we might just be able to watch the movie in its entirety. Well, we did. And boy am I glad.

The movie is funny. And sad. It sends a strong message about the power of love between a couple even after death. And it’s super uplifting.

The main character Carl reminded me of my abuelito. Ellie is his sweet heart, long-time partner, whom he meets as a young boy. Their love is so strong that Carl is incomplete when he loses her.

As kids, Carl had promised Ellie that one day he would move their clubhouse to Paradise Falls in South America. So when she dies, he sets out to make her dream come true.

He’s oblivious to the fact that a young boy, Russell, would turn his mission into a whole new adventure.

The reason why Carl and Ellie remind me of my abuelitos is because grandpa and grandma have grown old together. In all, they have been together more than 50 years. Together, they raised 6 children, and dozens of grandkids and great-grandkids. I admire them because it hasn’t been easy.

They tell us stories of grandpa having to walk miles to get to work – getting up at the crack of dawn. We hear of the times when they had no food to give to their young kids so they would give them tortillas with salt. Still, they persevered and rolled with the punches and look at them now. All of us living that great American Dream. We’ve come a long way abuelitos.

They weathered the storm. They’ve had the ride of a lifetime – filled with ups and downs. Today, they’re helping me raise my child, Frank, and I am so happy that my baby is getting to know two such wonderful human beings. Every day, the three of them go on their very own adventure. Yup, we’re lucky.

Thanks Disney for making such a sweet movie that reminded me about the power of love and friendship.