Benjamin has been doing research. He found a video called The Ten Best Male Role Models on Disney and Pixar. The speaker runs through the casts of movies, highlighting how they embody self sacrifice, loyalty, being a good father, and doing the right thing. I love that Ben has a soft spot for characters like Quasimodo, and Dumbo. Listening to their courage emboldens him.
Perhaps because it automatically came up on his screen, or maybe because he went hunting for it, Ben also watched The Ten Best Female Role Models on Disney and Pixar. There were gutsy women who saved China, or a Polynesian Island, or their own family. They dared to challenge stereotypes as they pursued their own dreams.
It is hard for Ben to articulate what his own hopes are. Sometimes he googles ski resorts, or castles, or hot chocolate. Maybe that is his idea of a great time.
He likes being the hero of our house, when the recycling gets out of control, or the silverware runs amok. Even though he is pushing six feet tall, he has an innocence about him. He aspires to being one of the good guys. And that renders him a champion in my book.
