Tolkien Week

For all those fabulous geeks out there, who have a love of all things Tolkien, this week is sure to hold a lot of goodies for you. For it is Tolkien Week (September 17-23). Today (September 22) is Hobbit day! The celebration began in 1978 and has come to earn political recognition. This is not too shocking, given that Tolkien has a huge fan base. Tolkien week celebrates the entire Middle Earth cycle: The Silmarillion, The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings (The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King), Unfinished Tales, and The History of Middle-earth. Believe it or not, the timing for this week originates, not from Tolkien himself, but September 22nd is Frodo’s and Bilbo’s mutual birthday! This particular date (which is referred to as the Long Awaited Party) was designated by Tolkien himself!

When I first discovered Lord of The Rings, I was in college (2002ish). I found a sign to hang on my dorm wall that said “men in trees battling the forces of evil.” My roommate thought this was absolutely hilarious. I thought it was funny, but not that funny! She explained to me that it referred to a scene in Lord of The Rings, where the hobbits were in Treebeard. This sounded interesting; so of course, I had to do some investigation. We proceeded to Wal-Mart (yes, the dreaded Wal-Mart). Bought Fellowship of the Ring. Went back to the dorm, and watched it. It was the best movie I had ever seen. This was the beginning of my love of Tolkien.

Lessons I learned from Hobbits:

1. Accept Adventure: you never know how life’s little adventures will change you forever. Frodo wasn’t looking to go on a mission to save Middle Earth, but he accepted his adventure, saved Middle Earth, and his life was never the same.

2. Money is not the most important thing in life. Even though the dwarfs would rather die than share their wealth, Thorin realized too late that that he was wrong: “If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.” Well said Thorin.

3.Enjoy life’s little pleasures: The everyday things for the elves were astonishing to the hobbits. This makes you realize that we take too many things for granted.

4. Appreciate your friends and family. They make life so much better and easier. Frodo would not have succeeded in his adventure if it were’nt for those friends and family encouraging him along the way.

5. Just because you are little, doesn’t mean that you can’t be strong and accomplish what you set your mind to. Frodo Baggins is great inspiration for us “little people” (I’m 4’10”). grab your blank Tolkien Week Tag here

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