I got home form work today and I was relieved. I have been having a somewhat stressful, somewhat tiring, and certainly long seeming week. I was ready to "unplug" for a little while. It has felt like a week of continuous action.
Last night I thought I would test my cooking prowess and make a big supper for Sydney and I to eat after church. We go to church almost every Wednesday since neither of us like crowds of people and I like to sleep in on Sunday morning. Also, church on Wednesday night lasts about 45 minutes and church on Sunday last about 65 minutes, so it is a streamlined pastoral effort. It is a good thing.
Since I have worked or just been busy each night this week between church and cooking last night, grocery shopping/haircut on Tuesday night and snow plowing Monday night, I was ready to sit in my chair and relax a little. It was Syd's night to cook and we had frozen pizza (she went all out). I had a plate of food, and RC Cola, a blanket, and I was firming pressed into my chair. I was ready. It was a go.
Syd and I had a disagreement over what we should do. She wanted to play games, but I didn't. I wanted to watch a movie, and she didn't. Since I am bigger than her and it is my television, we decided to watch a movie. Good choice.
I was thinking of what movie I would like to see and I asked her to pick one out, too. She couldn't decide. I was digging around and came across "Forrest Gump." I looked at the back. It is "PG-13." I remember there are some sex/drug use scenes, but if it is "PG-13" how bad can it be? I haven't seen the whole thing for a while, so I thought it would be a good choice. I have started watching it about 3 times in the past month or so, but I've fallen asleep within the first few minutes of it playing.
It was a good idea to watch this movie. What an emotional roller coaster it is. My normally stone faced 12 year old was a little misty eyed a couple times as was I. She was celebrating the little victories that our hero had, and so was I. She really seemed to like it. I asked her if she like the movie and she thought it was "okay." I suppose she would hate to be too descriptive about her enjoyment, as usual.
While I watched this movie tonight, I was reminded of how precious our lives are. I was reminded of how the most simple actions by one person can change the world for another person. I was reminded of how although sometimes it is harsh, unsatisfying, cruel, and painful, love still beats all. I was reminded about the importance of the people you hold dear in your lives. I was reminded of the beauty of simply living.
As of late my almost total lack of tolerance for others has been on my mind steadily. I used to not be this way, but as time passes, I seem to be becoming less and less tolerant. There are great lessons to be learned in acceptance of your own situation and patience with other people in "Forrest Gump." Maybe I can learn them.
Maybe I can learn from Forrest's example. Maybe I can get on with my life. Perhaps I need to spend more time on the relationships in my life and less time worrying about the outside world. There are many, many lessons in this film.
One thing is for sure, though. This is my box of chocolates, and I still don't know what I am going to get. Maybe with an extension of patience and a dash or two of love, I can get something really special. Until then, I think I will just try to keeping running.
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