I love the future…now!
For my birthday present from Knickers and BootyBoy, The Babe and I went to see Les Miserables today.
I have seen it before in London at (I think) The Palace when knickers was 15. Sometime around 2001or 02. It was a spiritually moving experience then and has been a favorite memory of mine ever since. Knickers went with BootyBoy to see the new musical in theaters and I could barely believe when she said this was even better then what we saw in London.
This morning when The Babe and I were getting ready to go she said, quite excitedly, and for the first time, "I love the future, NOW!" I asked her why and she said because we were going to see the movie. After hearing Knickers and I talk about it at length so much she must have had a longing for it born out of the air surrounding my own anticipation.
I packed tissue. And I used that tissue.
I want more than anything to write about what I again saw in this story and in the raw emotions it portrayed and evoked. But spoilers are not allowed. Please, please, please, everyone, grab a loved one and get to the theater so I can talk about it. I didn’t even want to leave, I wanted to stay and watch it again. I don’t want to wait until I can own it. I want it now and as big and as much as possible.
Maybe everyone won’t feel that way but this story and I have a history.
On a 9 inch dowel rod in my walk-in closet is a small felt flag. When I received it it was a token of revolution. Once, a few years ago The Babe saw my flag and tried to adopt is as her own.
"Sorry, I told her, that flag has special meaning for me." Though to tell the truth, I could only remember that it did have special meaning but the special meaning was somewhat lost to me. Today, as the french revolutionaries waved their flags on the barricade I was flooded with the memories and the meaning. I whispered in her ear.
"You remember the little red flag in my closet."
She nodded
"That is where it came from."
Her eyes widened, now my flag has meaning for her.
Revolution, selfless love, forgiveness, the unity that is found in Christ; the continuity of standing though all may fall. Standing in that impossible place where others have stood and where after we fall others will stand. The coming together of all who have stood in joy and love and peace. Going home.
It’s funny how I have never heard The Babe say the words, "I love the future…now!" before today. She didn’t know what the movie was about and I doubt she does even now. At the last of the movie it was her words that echoed in my heart along with the words of the ending song. We stayed about ten minutes after the movie was over. I couldn’t stop crying. I haven’t stopped yet.
I hope you go and see it.
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In Sandy soil I plant this seed, If even only I do heed.
In death is life; won’t be denied, grown by tears of sorrow cried.
The truth is harsh, the babes are dead, I’ll hold mine closer in their stead.
It’s all I have and know to do. I don’t admit those lives are through.
I will not waste this plot of land, it will not wither ‘neath my hand.
Come here my Love, look in my eyes,
Do you know how dear you are to me….?
RYN: Let’s do make it a point to get together this year. I still want to photograph your school play if you don’t have someone else lined up. Of course if the opportunity comes up before then lets do something else in the mean time.
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Well I am really glad you enjoyed it so much. Amazing to be such self-less people! In my youth I certainly would have been that brave. I loved that little boy. I asked my brother if he felt a kindred spirit to him and brother said yes. They are two of a kind.
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Somehow I have missed the play and the film. I will make an effort to see it but it may be when in comes on TV. Thank you for your note, but I feel a fraud for walking a half marathon even if it is power walking. This year was supposed to be my year to run a half – stupid gallstones!
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I think it is funny how my husband’s friends list differs from my own on facebook. He said that he had heard (via the friends list) that Les Miserables was TERRIBLE and the Hobbit was good. I said “That’s funny, my facebook tells the OPPOSITE story.” And apparently that stays true on my friends list here lol.
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Never saw that movie or read the book, but you’ve certainly tweaked my interest this morning. *HUG* Happy New Year my friend! And Happy Future Now!!!
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I liked the flag and the tissues your took with you. I cried and laughed when I first read Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables. That you saw the musical in London is magnificent. I saw it when it fame fom broadway to Knoxville, gateway of the Smokys many years ago. I always get choked up at certain scenes. Its a great story of our human suffering, striving, hope, love, forgiveness, conflicts. Thefuture now. yes, we write our paragraph in the vast novel of humanity. Thanks for sharing your and Babe’s expeerience.
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I really want to see that movie. Thank you for recommending it so highly. It motivates me to go.
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I want to go see it but movies are few and far between for me at least in the theatres and we just splurged to see the Hobbit. Would it be as good at home?
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ryn: Even though I haven’t seen it, I downloaded one of the songs lol.
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🙂
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Babe’s insight and wisdom never cease to amaze me…
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I am often disappointed when I see a remake of something I previously enjoyed. I’m glad that wasn’t the case for you here. I love it when a book or movie touches me like this one obviously did for you. I’ll have to put it on my list (though will probably have to wait for it to come out on TV).
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