Do You Know a Groovy Grown-Up?

Written by Shivali Moda
Shivali works as Communications Co-ordinator for Novel Entertainment (at least when she’s not off catching the latest Indian/horror film at the cinema!) 

Recently, at Novel Entertainment, we’ve been thinking a lot about grown-ups – our Groovy Grandma short film has made its way into a full-length episode and we’re starting to develop a follow up – and we reckon a grown-up is someone who is there to guide us, who is there when we need them (and sometimes when we think we don’t!), and who helps us make the choices we inevitably find we have to make along the way. 

Grown-ups come in all shapes and sizes, and the best ones truly are one of a kind. They can teach you things better than any teacher ever will. They believe in you, even when you say something outrageous like the sky is green. They tolerate your tantrums but know where to draw the line and how to remind you of it when necessary. They can make you laugh in the middle of a breakdown and they’ll pick you up each time you fall. They’re superheroes that don’t wear capes. They may have chinks in their armour, but they’re always trying to be their very best version for you. Most importantly, they’re always there, in their own special way.  

I’m sure we each have a treasure trove of stories about our own special grown-ups that we tend to keep tucked away in a safe corner of our hearts (or, if you’re like me – flaunt them, every chance we get).  So, when we came across Gary Pope’s Dear Dads project – collecting stories from people around the world to eventually come together in a book – we jumped right in. The ambition of the project is to “provide parents everywhere with inspiration” and all proceeds from sales of the book will go to children’s charities. What’s not to love!? 

I asked my colleagues if they’d like to share a few (or more) words about their own experiences with special grown-ups and the choices we have sometimes had to make; remember to keep a box of tissues handy (and don’t say we didn’t warn you!).

Here’s what Mike Watts, our CEO, had to say:

My Dad had a remarkable skill for being able to fix almost anything. A modest man, you might say he was an engineer by trade – on leaving school he learnt to service typewriters and accounting machines and when he joined the RAF he serviced Spitfires and Hurricanes.   He came from a long line of cabinet makers and he never stopped honing his skills as a caring repairer and restorer of fine pieces of furniture, many of which we proudly own.  To my daughters he was always ‘Fix-it Grandad’.  Whenever he came to stay with us he would always bring his toolbox as well as his overnight bag and one of the first things he would say is ‘What can I do?’

Whilst Buffy might not immediately spring to mind as your typical grown up, we loved this blog by our very own Sophie Brawn, which highlights the importance of making choices, something she argues Buffy does very well. 

Lucinda Whiteley, our Creative Director, remembers a quirky habit of her dad’s: 

Whenever we got to the end of a topic of conversation, my Dad would say ‘well, there we are’.  It was a habit that I really only noticed over the years, as I grew up and he grew older, but it’s something that is embedded in my memory of him now.  It seemed to mark a moment, a pause to acknowledge the conversation we’d just had before we carried on with whatever was next.  I like that idea, taking a moment to reflect before we move on.

A couple more thoughts; firstly, here’s an excerpt from the episode when Henry goes to visit the Demon Dentist (his words, not mine) – he and Dad are in the car together and here’s the conversation they share. We liked Dad’s honesty – sometimes even grown-ups don’t know everything, but we reckon it takes a special one to be able to say that! 

Aaand finally, thinking about grown-ups and my dad and mum (and the other special grown-ups in my life), I myself was inspired to write a little poem (if you can call it that!):  

Whether in a pair of regular beige trousers and a chequered shirt 

Or in a flowy, floral skirt

A grandma who’s too cool for school 

Or a granddad who knows his way around any tool 

From Mufasa, who Simba absolutely adores 

To the wielder of the Elder Wand, Albus Dumbledore 

Grown-ups come in all shapes, sizes and forms  

But the one thing they have in common is they’re all Horridly Brilliant and Brilliantly Warm! 

Here’s to all groovy grown-ups! Who is yours? 😀