I woke up this morning feeling off. My body was tired and I had a headache. So, I decided I would turn my phone to silent and turn on Forrest Gump, my all time favorite movie. Of course when I saw Luitenent Dan, post war injury, I started to tear up. For those who dont know, my father lost both of his legs in Vietnam and walked on prosthetic legs or sometimes used a traditional wheelchair, until he passed. In the movie, Luitenent Dans physical movements and actions are so close to my fathers, it overwhelms me to the point I break down into tears. It doesnt matter how many times I see the movie or how prepared I am before viewing, when I see Lt. Dan, I see my dad and I cry. Watching Forrest today was a little different. Yes, I did sob like a baby when the nurse pulled the sheet off Lt. Dan, revealing his leg loss, or nubs as Dad called them when we were growing up. And yes, I sobbed again when Lt Dan made his peace with God and also when he went to Forrest and Jennys wedding with his new legs. This time however, I got teary in other parts of the movie too. The part when Forrest ran across country for three years, describing what he saw along the way, took me back to my own experience with travelling across country. My mind went back to a few years ago, driving through New Mexico at sunset, sitting in the back seat of Betty with tears streaming down my face at the miraculous changing colors in the sky. It looked like a painting and it was. It was Gods canvas and Gods artwork. I remembered my tears streaming and feeling incredibly blessed to be there, in that moment to see this one of a kind, never to be seen again piece of TRUE art with my own eyes. As the movie continued, my tears streamed again at Forrest meeting Lil Forrest asking Jenny if he was .....smart..... For so many years, big Forrest was picked on and put down and made to feel less than by so many. No parent wants their child to go through a lifetime of hell and I identify with Forrests relief that his son wouldnt be rediculed as he was. By the end of the movie, with Forrest at Jennys grave, my headache was worse from all the tears and I was in full blown cry baby mode. I realized how similar I am to Forrest. Im not a book-smart Tam, but Im also not dumb. Ive gone through much of my life being ridiculed, put down and as a scape goat. But I also have been blessed with a vision to see beyond the evils and fears kf people and continued to push forward, observing that which is actually important. Ive acted too fast and risked myself for those who could care less. Ive reacted too quickly and without thinking when I believed my family or extended family needed me. Ive walked away from things that dont pertain to me, extended my hand, even when it seemed crazy to do so and Ive put my life on hold for love more than once. Much like Forrest, I instantly fell in love with each of my children so much, I would trade my life to guarantee their individual journeys be a cake walk in comparison mine. Im not the smartest Tam or a rich Tam, but I do know what love is... And isnt... Although Forrest isnt a real person, just a character created, I admire him, his willingness to always defend what is right, his grace and the way he always walked with dignity, even in the trying times... We all could and should learn a little something from Forrest. Loyalty, humility, humbleness, kindness, self control, perseverance...I for one, will not overlook the real life Forrests ever again, because someday, I do want to be someones Jenny... Without the whole dying too young part, of course.... :-)... Forrest Gump could possibly be the greatest and smartest man that never lived.
Posted on: Tue, 15 Jul 2014 02:54:58 +0000
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