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Posts tagged ‘Relationships’

May 27

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Movie Quote Monday – Enchanted April

If I could only use one word to describe this movie, it would be “lovely”.

It is a movie full of nooks and crannies, with the story gently bubbling up to fill all those spaces.

Every now and then, it fills in a spot I hadn’t realized was there. And I am surprised and delighted. And I am also filled.

It’s the story of four women, strangers living in a cold and rainy and dreary London. They come together through newspaper advertisements to rent a castle in Italy for the month of April. Each lady is looking for a temporary escape from her London life, and in one way or another, they are running from their loneliness and unhappiness.

In one of my favorite little scenes, it’s raining when two of the women get off the train in Italy. Rose asks, “How is this different?” Lottie answers, “Well…this is Italian rain.”

On the one hand, wherever you go, there you are.

On the other, sometimes we do need the illusion of distance between ourselves and our problems in order to get a better perspective on both.

But there’s one scene that stops me in my tracks every single time. It’s a moment in which Lottie and her husband Mellersh have finally come together as a couple. Mellersh brushes Lottie’s hair as he talks to her, a loving gesture that conveys the intimacy bourgenouing between them.

Mellersh:  In my profession…a man is always helped by having a clever and attractive wife. Lady Caroline thinks you’re attractive…so do I.
—Lottie:  Do you think I’m attractive, Mellersh?
Mellersh:  Yes I do. One thing puzzles me though…why weren’t you attractive sooner?

Why?

This always makes me think about the relationships in my life and how I value and nurture them.

And how I don’t.

Am I seeing the beauty that’s right in front of my eyes? Or do I need to adjust my perspective?

♦

May 22

A Year in Narnia – No. 21

Listen: 

Narnia 21

May 20

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Movie Quote Monday – Star Trek Into Darkness

Don’t worry, no major plot spoilers here! Just a little talk about theme. And I do love a movie with multiple themes! Give me my money’s worth, filmmakers!

I definitely got my money’s worth with Into Darkness. So much so that I’m gonna go give them some more of my money and watch it again this week.

As for this viewing, this is the quote that jumped right out at me:

Kirk:  I have no idea what I’m supposed to do. I only know what I can do. The Enterprise and her crew need someone in that chair who knows what he’s doing. That’s not me. That’s you, Spock.

Have you ever not known what to do in a desperate situation? Were you able to let go of control to someone who could handle it better than you?

In a big way, this is a movie about making choices. Choosing who and what to trust, and whether or not you can trust yourself and your own instincts. Choosing between following the rules and doing what you believe to be right. Choosing between what is moral and ethical versus what will fulfill your own desires. With friendships and love, choosing whether to hold on or let go, whether to go your own way or follow the other person.

Another huge theme is relationships. In the first Star Trek, we saw the characters coming together for the first time. Ok, second I guess, since it takes place on an alternate time line. But it was great to watch those personalities mesh or clash as they navigated their way toward becoming a team. With Into Darkness, it was wonderful to see a smooth continuation between the two movies in how these relationships continue to grow and evolve. Specifically Pike and Kirk, Kirk and Spock, Spock and Uhura. But also the relationship between Captain and crew.

In our relationships, we have to make choices all the time of when to lead and when to follow, when to question and when to trust.

By the end of the movie, each relationship has progressed  further, and I’m loving that as an overall series arc. As much as I enjoyed the plotline in Star Trek Into Darkness, I loved witnessing the maturing of the characters and their relationships probably even more. 

Did you see the movie?

What did you think?

♦

May 16

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Don’t throw your pee out the window!

When I first uttered those words to my nephew, I immediately thought of Leanne Shirtliffe.

I should point out that Leanne wrote a book called Don’t Lick The Minivan (and Other Things I Never Thought I’d Say To My Kids).

Even though I don’t have my own children to say crazy things to, I had really been looking forward to reading Leanne’s book about raising twins.

Then I went on vacation with my sister and her family. Including two teenagers, a five-year-old and a two-year-old. And I heard myself saying a lot – A. Lot. – of crazy things.

That’s when I realized this book is for everyone whose ever been around kids ever. In the supermarket. On the street. In church. If you’ve ever so much as thought  a strange comment in a kid’s direction, then you’ll relate.

As a fan of Leanne’s blog, Ironicmom.com, I know she’s a funny lady. And from my interactions with her on her blog and other places out there in the webby world, I know she’s funny, kind, smart and generous with herself. And did I mention she’s funny? Because she is.

In Don’t Lick the Minivan, Leanne is all those things I’ve come to expect and more.

She shares stories of her struggles with perfecting motherhood in an open manner, including “the lost year” of postpartum depression. Eventually throwing out all of the parenting books (turns out it isn’t a job you can actually “perfect”), she took the DIY approach to motherhood, and we get to go on that rollercoaster ride as well. 

Leanne tells so many stories that make us laugh at her kids antics, without ever making them subjects of ridicule. Where some writers would go for the snark, she manages to be kind with her reminiscences of her kids licking, well, lots of stuff, peeing in bicycle helmets (on dolls, on the lawn…) and wanting to do crafts.

She knows how to laugh at herself and her husband too, recounting stories of those first crazy days of parenthood (if you’ve ever woken a baby up just to make sure it’s still alive, then you’ll know what I mean), and then all the crazy days of parenthood to follow. There are laughs everywhere, but you get a real sense of family in this book – you’re laughing in the way that makes you feel a part of the family, like you know these people. And you genuinely like them.

So, a few other things I liked about Don’t Lick The Minivan:

  • each section ends with a letter to one or both of her kids, a sweet addition to this humor memoir (laughter through tears is my favorite emotion)
  • sections are broken into smaller essays that are easy to consume on a work break – or whenever you get a moment of peace from your kids
  • the Index
  • Leanne’s “Parenting Tips”, super funny (don’t try this at home, kids) parenting strategies sprinkled throughout the book

Don’t Lick The Minivan is so often a laugh out loud funny book, the kind where you feel compelled to tell everybody in the room what you just read. But it’s also sweet and honest and tender. It’s definitely a book worth sharing.

I suggest you pick up a copy for yourself and your parents (It might be nice if you wrote an apology note inside, you know, for all the stuff you did when you were a kid. Just sayin’.) and for anyone you know who has kids.

And keep an extra copy on hand for the next baby shower you’re invited to. It’s the only book on parenting they won’t eventually throw out.

♦

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