This I Kill Giants post is in partnership with RLJ Entertainment. The story is my own.
Think of strong women in your life, they said. Easy. I am surrounded by them. However, the person who shoots to the forefront of my mind is my Aunt Carla. My Uncle Darin’s wife is an unsung hero in our family. At least, I haven’t verbally told her how much I appreciate her. I literally cannot get mushy with people because I cry too hard for them to understand me. Thankfully, that’s what writing is for.
My Aunt Carla is a natural nurturer. She’s one of those people that’s born to be a mother. She’s equipped with all of the maternal genes, plus some serious culinary upgrades. 😉 She’s a mother of five children.
Last year, she had to bury her son.
I’m sure it goes without saying that losing a child destroys people. Without going into all the details, my Aunt Carla has become a champion for a cause. She’s not letting Hank’s death be for naught. She’s rallied other mothers, attended meetings, hosted gatherings, stood in front of buildings, and even written letters to “giants” to try to make a difference.
I could stop right here and still call her a hero, however, that’s not even the tip of the iceberg. Now, my Aunt Carla is caring for my Grandmother. My Gram is her mother-in-law. Gram has dementia and several physical ailments and injuries. The once powerhouse of an independent woman now needs constant care. She can no longer drive, be trusted to eat, or do much on her own. Aging is not always kind, to say the least.
Carla has gone above and beyond to help with my Gram. She’s not making sure Gram’s alive; she’s making sure Gram thrives. Even with the challenges the dementia GIANT throws at her, Carla selflessly and unconditionally shows my Gram love. This love is snowballing into a weapon against grief. Helping my Gram is slowly chopping down the grief GIANT. Although the loss of a child is a wound that never heals, helping others provides a soothing balm.
Each day, Carla plans a project for the two of them. Where one could “sit on the job” in this case, Carla, once again, overachieves. She organizes rooms for my Gram. In doing so, it brings out items to help jog Gram’s memory. She cooks, she cleans, and never stops trying to improve the entire household for my Grandparents. She makes sure Gram gets out and even helps her look her best when Gram doesn’t want to try.
These are all things I should have said before this post, but the I Kill Giants movie definitely inspired me to get it all out. I Kill Giants features strong women and powerful female characters with an almost entirely female cast. The film also touches on the following themes: dealing with bullying, standing up for yourself, finding strength within yourself, and imagination vs. reality. As you can see, Carla has found the ultimate strength within herself. To not only power through grief, but take care of others in the process.
Let’s all celebrate the strong women in our life. Start by watching I Kill Giants with them. I Kill Giants is in select theaters and On Demand March 23, find it on iTunes.
I Kill Giants Movie
From the acclaimed graphic novel comes an epic adventure about a world beyond imagination. Teen Barbara Thorson (Madison Wolfe, The Conjuring 2) is the only thing that stands between terrible giants and the destruction of her small town. But as she boldly confronts her fears in increasingly dangerous ways, her new school counselor (Zoe Saldana, Guardians of the Galaxy) leads her to question everything she’s always believed to be true. I Kill Giants is an intense, touching story about trust, courage and love from the producers that brought you Harry Potter.
Based on the acclaimed graphic novel by Joe Kelly and Ken Niimura
From the producer of Harry Potter, Chris Columbus
Academy award-winning director, Anders Walter
I KILL GIANTS Giveaway
One (1) winner receives:
$50 Visa gift card for an I KILL GIANTS Movie Night!
Copy of the book (movie tie-in cover)
GIVEAWAY ENDED!!! WINNER: Kimberly M. from SC
Which strong women will you watch the I Kill Giants movie with?
Natalie says
This movie almost is like the story of David and Goliath, but modernized. It sounds like an interesting movie.
Terri S. says
I would love to see I Kill Giants with my daughter and two granddaughters. It looks like a movie that we would enjoy watching.
shannon fowler says
I would love to see this with my sister and my mom. It looks like such a great movie!
Calvin says
Would watch this with my mom, this is the first time I’ve heard about this movie. Very nice.
Rosanne says
It seems like they are giving more roles to women that are characters of strength. That is good to say. TV and movies make women sex objects.
Janet W. says
What powerful and inspiring women you have in your life! Thanks for sharing!
Margaret Smith says
This sounds like a great movie. I think my sons would really like this movie.
Sandy Klocinski says
Sounds kind of like a female version of David and Goliath. I think I would enjoy watching it. At least it is a movie where women are depicted as strong and confident rather that sex objects
Chrystal D says
This looks like a really good movie. I’m definitely going to look for it on Netflix or Redbox.
Donna L says
This movie sounds good. Thanks for the giveaway!
paula rousseau says
Sounds like a movie I would enjoy .thanks
Maria Lynn says
Sounds like a movie i would like to see!
USSROVER (Michael) says
The CG effects (trailer) look good in the same like as those used during the Harry Potter films
sheila ressel says
I will watch this movie with my sister and niece.
ROCHELLE HAYNES says
I would love to see this movie looking good
Dana Rodriguez says
This sounds like a great book and movie. I am going to check it out!
Susan Smith says
This sounds like a great family movie.
Edye says
This movie looks so action packed! 🙂
Dana Rodriguez says
I just wanted to add that your Aunt Carla is an amazing woman. She is a stronger person than I could ever be.
Shakeia Rieux says
I definitely want to see this with my boyfriend, it looks like a good movie.
Nancy says
I’d like to see this movie with our daughter.
Linda G. says
I would really enjoy watching this movie with my daughter
Laurajj says
Oh this movie sounds so great! I love when they have strong women!
shelly peterson says
This sounds like a great movie. I will have to take my son to see it.
paige chandler says
my daughter will love this movie. I will be taking her for sure.
Elizabeth says
I hadn’t known the plotline before now–I’m intrigued!
heather says
I so want to see this movie with the kids in the family and we would love to have the book too.
Sarah L says
I would love to take my niece to see this. I like strong women characters.
Thanks for the contest.
BusyWorkingMama says
This looks like a great movie. I would like to take my daughter to see it.
Linda. Kinsman says
I would take my daughter to see this movie. Thanks for the chance.
Zoey says
This seems like a really great movie for young girls especially.
Leah Shumack says
I would love to go watch this with my daughter!
kathy pease says
This looks like a great movie I would love to watch it with my granddaughter
Rivka says
Thank you for sharing about your Aunt Carla. She is truly inspiring.
Betsy Barnes says
I am planning on watching this movie with two strong women I admire, my mom and sister.
Carolyn Daley says
I Kill Giants looks interesting. I would love to see the movie with my boyfriend.
Jerry Marquardt says
The I Kill Giants Movie looks so great, I can barely wait to see it. This makes for a great reason to celebrate strong women.
Sharon Braswell says
I watched the movie trailer here and loved it!. This is one strong heroine! Thank you!!
Julieh says
This looks like a movie my whole family would enjoy.
Buddy Garrett says
I like that I Kill Giants has strong female girl characters. It will empower girls to stand up for theirselves.
Donna porter says
I would love to see I Kill Giants with my nephew.
Lindsay A. says
I loved reading about your Aunt Carla – she sounds incredible, a strong woman indeed! This film seems like such an inspiring one for young girls especially, and I’m looking forward to seeing it.