"It's a Wonderful Life"

I know that some of you are not ready to talk about Christmas yet, but I can't help myself!  I love Christmas and I like to start early to make it last as long as possible!

My favorite Christmas movie, my favorite all around movie actually, is the classic "It's a Wonderful Life".   Who can resist this wonderful film about loveable George Bailey who wants to be a world traveler but is foiled in his plans time and again.  After a particularly bad turn of events he even contemplates suicide.  Enter Clarence, the bumbling angel, to show him what the world would be like if he had never been born.  The number of lives he had touched is amazing.   As you know, he pleads to go back when he sees what a large "hole" is left without him.

I can relate to George's frustration as time after time hardships prevent him from accomplishing his dreams. Please don't misunderstand me.  I always wanted to be a wife and mother, and I am.  I love that part of my life.  My frustrations are in the things that keep me from being the kind of mother I want to be i.e. working and health issues.  Another frustration is my bike riding.  I have written about how much I love riding my bike, but right now that feels like a distant dream.  Because of health issues (blood clots in my lungs), I have missed a few weeks on the bike.  About a month ago I could ride 12 miles pretty comfortably, and last Saturday, I struggled to do four, ack.  I feel like George when he took that wooden knob from the staircase and almost threw it.  I want to gather up my problems and throw them at the walls that hem me in.

I believe most of us feel this way from time to time.  Just last night a co-worker was expressing a similar frustration with her life.  I wonder if that is what makes this movie such a well-loved classic. Could it be that many of us can relate to the frustration, and discouragement of lost dreams and wishes? Do we long to know that our lives have meaning and purpose even when they are not following our plans?  Isn't it a wonderful thought that someone's life may have been touched because you were there?

Unfortuantely, no angel will come and show us the lives that we have made a difference in, but perhaps we could be a "Clarence" for someone else.  We could write a letter, or make a phone call and let someone know that our life is better because they were there for us.  I can't think of a better Christmas present.