Last night I saw Away We Go—a sweet film about a 30-something couple trying to navigate their way through pregnancy and impending parenthood. As the pair visits friends and family in different cities, trying to decide where to raise their little one, they discover the realities of their loved ones' situations...exposing the humanity and faults of everyone they visit.
I don't know if this story struck me because of my own conflicting feelings about parenthood or because I'm strangely emotional knowing that I'm leaving the country in 12 days. Whatever it was, it reminded me of the undeniable fact that no one really knows what they're doing in this life.
No one knows if the choices they're making are best. No one knows what is really going on in other people's lives. What hidden pains lurk or what quiet joys burst forth when no one else is looking. No one knows "the right way" to do things. There is no right way. No one knows what fate they'll be dealt. Or where their path will wind. We hold ourselves and others to such high standards—expecting to know or be told the right answers. But none of us really know.
And maybe the more we accept and recognize that we don't know, the kinder and more tolerant we will be of our own foibles and those of our peers.
Maybe admitting our own ignorance is what leads us to bliss.
10 comments:
i LOVED this movie, and the soundtrack almost as much. can't get enough of alexi murdoch.
I think I have to go see this movie. Might hit a chord of my own!
And yet I somehow suspect that I'll still get verbally slapped upside the head by you when you comment on some of my posts... ;)
Brookem - I know! It totally made me cry. And you're right - the soundtrack was great.
Nilsa - If you do go see it, let me know what you think. It might stir up some stuff in you.
Geekhiker - That's because you're so doom and gloom sometimes you deserve to be slapped! You gotta learn to try to look on the bright side!!! And stop putting yourself down all the time!
I've heard such good things about this movie, but I think I'll just end up depressed. Gosh, I need some rainbows.
My best friend is an amazing mom. Her kid is well-adjusted and polite and sweet and I really just want to kidnap her and raise her for my own. But if I had a quarter for everytime my friend thought she screwed up...
I guess, as long as your kid doesn't shoot himself in the leg or end up on a pole, you've done a'right.
Sorry, I only see thought-provoking, intellectually stimulating movies like The Hangover...a must see for sure!!
I'm so glad you saw this film. I LOVE IT. It spoke to me on many levels.
I think you're onto something especially the final line of your post.
Jane - What happened? I thought you had a nice rainbow coming to visit you in August?
Coconut - What if your kid ends up in a pole to put herself through Med School - does that make it ok? ;)
Laura - I'm dying to see that! I heard it was really funny! Maybe I'll try to go Friday so we can laugh about it Saturday.
Sizzle - I think that last line is significant too. I need to be reminded of it more often.
I haven't seen that movie, but can totally relate to your reaction. We kind of touched on this before, didn't we? Good things happen to good people so you will be fine. Living in the moment is a good way to go too. The future always comes!
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