I wasn’t sure if I was going to get this entry published in time to continue my monthly streak (and goal) of posting! Writing for me in general comes easy but for this venue I’m drafting in response to some emotion. When I set out about this task I didn’t have a quota per se so I made a personal agreement I would not publish click bait just for participation credit. I’m mostly silent on social media and so I feel what I do produce needs to be polished and personal.
This posting discusses 2 movies, a blockbuster hit from the tail end of the 80’s and a just released survivor story released this month that details the A-Z on supporting loved ones stricken with cancer. Our boys watched the first one with us; too much homework apparently prevented them from watching the second?!
Dead Poets Society is a 1989 American teen drama film written by Tom Schulman, directed by Peter Weir, and starring Robin Williams. Set in 1959 at the fictional elite conservative Vermont boarding school Welton Academy, it tells the story of an English teacher who inspires his students through his teaching of poetry. I lifted that intro from Wikipedia and I can attest to its accuracy based on what I know. My youngest has writing ambitions so it was neat to see him mostly plug into a mom and dad show. My oldest thinks he’s ready for adult school and while DPS follows a youth boarding school there were for sure many similarities. As a family we watched Dead Poets Society last night and one quote that resonated with me was “words and ideas change the world.” Robin Williams offered this affirmative as he was just being him in the movie – a teacher. I’ve got to believe teachers across this globe echo/mimic/shout similar messages.
Tonight we watched Our Friend, a sort of documentary which follows a family of four where the mother gets cancer and a college friend becomes the live-in lifeline. This one is more of a tear jerker but you should read the story that led to the movie. I’m serious about reading the article – it will force you to audit your life view. The connection for me was it takes place in the town we have called summer the past few years. It’s the place we as a family hold many emotions, from new experiences and exchanges to familiar comforts and conveniences. I’ve written about Fairhope before and that we lost our Lucy several months back; we now have Hope (from Fairhope).
We also randomly lucked our way into a tennis coach for our oldest. It’s not the most practical arrangement but we’re trying to make it work – we’ll be traveling again this weekend for a workout. For those of you that are my age, it’s like landing John McEnroe’s best friend as your coach without all the temper tantrums. Regardless, words and ideas matter and friends generally prove to be the multiplier.
What if? Why Not? 