Journey Down a Rabbit Hole

For several weeks now, our boys have been inviting Sue and I in the evenings to watch animation classics (possibly because one of our boys is a professional animator, another is a college art scholar student, and the other just likes animation). We have spent some time in the Disney Renaissance (1989-99), but last night we returned to a Disney Classic, "Alice in Wonderland" (1951). Even though I do not remember ever watching Alice In Wonderland as a child, I am sure I saw it (or at least parts of it), because some sections felt very familiar. Yet throughout watching this psychedelic and over-saturated-in-color piece of wonder, my mind returned to one childhood memory.

In 1980, my parents took me to Walt Disney World in Florida for the first time. I can still remember the sights, sounds, and smells of that first visit. Yet as I watched Alice in Wonderland last night, it returned me to Main Street USA in 1980. I felt the anxiety I had when deciding to have my photo taken with a character at Disney World. I can remember it so well, because deep down I wanted my picture taken with a Disney character, but I was a bit scared. Mustering up all the courage I could, I stepped off Main Street, away from my parents, into a side recess where stood the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland.

I am thankful my parents snapped the photo attached, because not only is it the only photo I have with a character on my first visit to Disney World, but in many ways the White Rabbit character seems appropriate.

Me with the White Rabbit at Disney World (1980)

The White Rabbit in Lewis Carroll's story and Disney's movie represents a herald-like guide to an unexpected journey - which I can relate to as an artist-minister. Also, the journey down a rabbit hole has always symbolized a philosopher's thirst and search for truth. And since the White Rabbit is the first character Alice meets in the movie/book, it makes sense, that it would be the first "character" I would meet on my wild journey of life.

Honestly, I think the White Rabbit may just be my "animated" spirit animal.