The girls have been invited to a birthday party at the movie theatre. My kids love movies and television. They love it as much as they love candy because they are deprived of all three so when an invitation for a birthday party that includes a movie and likely candy, they are over the sugary moon with excitement.

Here’s the problem.

The invitation was sent ages ago and clearly indicated the movie being screened is called “Soul Surfer.” I accepted quickly knowing the girls would never want to miss an opportunity to a) attend their cousin’s party whom they adore and b) see a group of surfing penguins or St. Bernard’s or t-shirt wearing raccoons, teaming up to save the damsel in distress or the toy mountain or better still, the overflowing bowl of candy. It hadn’t dawned on me until recently that the movie retells the true story of a girl (non-cartoon girl) whose arm is torn off in a shark attack and oh yeah, something about surfing.

Dilemma. If I deprive my kids of the movie, am I projecting my own fears onto them? If I let them go am I going to hear for the next thirty-five years about the terrible thing I did letting them see a movie they simply weren’t emotionally equipped to view? (JAWS circa 1980 comes to mind)

Are they forever going to hear the name “Phin” and think—danger! Will they visit the beach in Florida and run for the ice cream shack at the first sight of the turquoise water when a wave reaches the shore? Am I single-handedly creating an eating disorder? Ice—cream shack equals safe-from-shark?

I have read reviews of the movie and many critics argue the shark attack itself is glossed over and the focus of the story is really of the inspirational girl who overcomes unthinkable physical and emotional obstacles, continuing to compete internationally.

So the attack is glossed over—I can live with that. Does the one armed girl continue to appear in scenes? I’m just thinking this might be a constant reminder to my seven and five year olds that bad things lurk beneath and they may not be able to piece together the intended, inspirational part of the puzzle, because an important piece (an arm) is clearly missing.

 Will the popcorn be ample? Will the candy portions be adequate?

My hope is with the right combination of candy, sugary treats and syrupy drinks, my kids will re-tell the story (while under a candy induced coma) of Soul Surfer, a movie they saw about a brave surfing squirrel who beat the odds. Fingers crossed.