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You know what I’m thankful for? Great TV. With everything going on in our world, I do not intend that to sound remotely flippant. But there is something to be said for our current state of entertainment. We have access to old series. And the new ones; we are so lucky to have incredible sci-fi & fantasy shows (from Westworld to Marvel/DC to Game of Thrones) that I never thought I’d get to see brought to life on our screen. Sometimes, though, it’s the simple, charming, heartfelt dramas that can truly leave an indelible mark. So, thank you Gilmore Girls. Thank you for opening up Stars Hollow for us again.

This show has become extremely personal to me–it’s hard to write about, actually. Almost a year ago my mom (and best friend) suffered a series of seizures that left her broken and hospitalized for months. Now, a year later, she is still bedridden, and I’ve been doing my best to help. Somewhere in there I started The Great Re-watch of the entire Gilmore Girls series in an effort to re-engage her. Sometimes she remembered episodes, and sometimes she didn’t. So we were building both old and new memories together, ll the while strengthening her brain, and, I would argue, her heart.

It was a show I watched while it was on. So did my mother. We often joked about how much we were like Lorelai & Rory (yep, I’m an only child). My grandmother was shockingly akin to Emily, & my poor Dad (they’ve been married 40 years) was always the 3rd wheel in this (though we did have Star Trek together). Mom and I would chat about the Gilmores’ various exploits, and yes, we talk just as fast. Years later, curled up in her hospital bed, it broke my heart to hear my mom say, “well, we never made it to Europe together, but Rory and Lorelai went–so it’s kinda like we did too.”

It’s funny how time changes your perspective. It was so great to have the option to rewatch the series mostly together. I’m much more understanding of Emily, harder on Lorelai, and less patient with Rory. I also switched instantly from team Dean to team Logan. And as for Jesse…well.

So welcome back Gilmore Girls. I am thankful for you. For the memories shared with my own mother. For the way a TV show with heart could bring a family together–even my dad watched a few episodes this time ’round! Family bonding, leveled up! It will be hard to see the absence of wonderful cast member and talented actor, and difficult to accept how time has passed, but I’m grateful that we get to join all these kooky characters again. They are mirrors that show us how we, and our world has changed.

And we get those four final words. Finally.

For me, I already know them:

I love you, Mom.

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Stephanie Thorpe