‘Tis the season for holiday classics and the New York Times’ recent commentary about It’s A Wonderful Life set off a reflexive reaction for me. My family and I used to routinely watch It’s A Wonderful Life and The Sound of Music at Christmas, with what I have grown to realize was an intense sense of longing.
It’s not rocket science. We humans are drawn to stories that reflect us. In It’s A Wonderful Life George Bailey struggles as the underdog and is bound by family obligation (my father, and now my oldest brother, who also is named George), his beautiful wife strives to create a happy, perfect home (my mother), and the kids cower in terror when George flips out under pressure (me and my siblings). And in The Sound of Music, there are 5 girls and 2 boys (just like my family), a strict father who eventually softens (my father), and a governess who swoops in and saves them all with practicality and music (my mother).
My father was a tough guy - not one to say ‘I’m sorry’ or ‘I love you’ like the father figures in Life and Music. And while I felt very resolved about his death three years ago (thanks to therapy and adjusting my expectations about him) I think there’s still a lot of longing for many of my siblings. If only life wrapped up so tidily and happily as it does in the movies.
Image credit: IMDB
Every time I see pictures of Will and Jada (Pinkett) Smith and their family, I can’t help but feel happy. They look so genuine and full of love for one another. I never watched Fresh Prince but – similar to other comic turned serious actors such as Bill Murray (Lost in Translation) and Will Ferrell (Stranger Than Fiction), Will Smith totally won me over with The Pursuit of Happyness.
The world certainly could use more positive family role models; here’s to hoping Will and Jada last the long haul. I vaguely recall reading somewhere that they go to therapy, so that’s a good sign.
Image credit: US Magazine
Compared to how I started Boston Mamas (laboring over the design endlessly, creating at least 50 new pieces of editorial content before telling anyone about it, etc.), the launch of this blog was lightning quick. As in, was struck by the idea Tuesday of this week, ran the domain name by the incredibly fabulous Jennifer James (of The Mom Bloggers Club and The Mom Salon… another one of these chicks who puts me to shame), set up the domain and hosting, picked a Wordpress template, banged out a fast banner so the site looked vaguely less template-y, and started to add content. The look isn’t totally perfect yet, but I decided not to let that stop me.
I’d like to credit my therapist for this fast launch. My perfectionist nature typically bogs me down – sometimes to the point of paralysis - and thanks to my continued hours on the couch, I’m working on letting go and embracing imperfection. It’s delicious when it works.
