I had a bit of a hard time with Hobbiton as a teen, and so the first chapters and the Scouring, but I was in denial about it. The gossipiness and pettiness of the other hobbits offended my teen sense of derring-do. Of course I loved our hobbits, and thought I loved all things hobbity then. I hadn't picked up on how Tolkien defines hobbits, and then gives us unhobbity, queer hobbits to identify with--tricksy he is.

I'm so sorry to hear about you losing your mom so young, but I'm glad you had LotR to bring you comfort, and that you share it with your brother.

Heeeee--emus. (-: