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5 Life Lessons from Les Misérables

12/26/2012

8 Comments

 
I got to see the movie, Les Misérables, on Christmas Day with my wonderful mother-in-law, Judy. It was my first time seeing the show in any format. I learned some lessons that I thought my loyal blog-readers may enjoy. Please note: Spoilers Ahead

My 5 Life Lessons:

1      Always listen to my husband. He suggested that we buy our tickets online several hours before the show started. When we arrived, the line to the movie was out the door. We would have never made it if I hadn’t listened to him.

2      Life is tragic. Period. It seems the longer I live, the more I see this theme. If you’ve seen this show, you know the countless people that experience tremendous tragedy. Especially poor Fantine. She loses her job, sells her hair, her teeth and worse to support her child. “There was a time when the world was a song, and the song was exciting. There was a time. Then it all went wrong.” I am still shocked that Jude is not perfectly healthy. When you deliver a baby, and all is well, you thank God and think it’s over. We didn’t figure out that Jude had anything really medically wrong with him until he started having myoclonic seizures at 15 months. I never saw it coming. And while I’m lucky I still have my hair, I feel Fantine’s sense of loss of that dream.
3       Forgiveness is an amazing, life-changing gift. Hugh Jackman plays Jean Valjean. And if I had spent 19 years in jail for stealing bread, I’d be bitter too. When he is released and steals from a church, the priest has a chance to prosecute him. But he does something amazing. He says what he stole was a gift, and then gave him more. This may seem like stating something obvious, but it really dawned on me that this level of forgiveness was amazing. The priest could act on behalf of God. He could do something so powerful and rare. And it changed Jean Valjean’s soul. 
4      Revenge, while tempting, does more harm to you than your foe. Russell Crowe played Javert, always on the go trying to find Jean Valjean.  It was his life’s mission. And in the end, Jean Valjean’s act of kindness ultimately killed Javert. I have a very hard time forgiving people, especially those closest to me, who let me down. But this movie made me realize that I have the power and gift of forgiveness. Again, pretty obvious, but it touched my heart.
5      My mother-in-law is proud, strong-willed and more independent than I thought possible. She has survived so much loss and so much love. She is brave and kind. The movie theater was so packed that we didn’t get to sit together. But I did buy her a bottle of water that some nice strangers helped pass it down the row to her. Unfortunately, she couldn’t get the bottle open. So she held that bottle of water for three hours and did not ask for help as to not bother any of the strangers around her. I love her strength and independence. She doesn’t want to miss a thing, and rarely asks for help. It reminds me of someone else I know in my family.

The movie was amazing. The theater was completely full, and completely silent until the end when all you could hear were little sobs as people tried to hide their tears. It really was a great Christmas movie. I think about Mary, feeling a bit like Fantine. I’m sure hers was not the life she imagined. Cold, alone, pregnant. And the incredible forgiveness we get, and even better, can give. Christmas miracles indeed.

Merry Christmas. 
8 Comments
Kem mulder
12/26/2012 11:08:08 am

Sarah, every time I read your writings, I am amazed at the beauty and thoughtfulness of your words, and I am grateful you are willing to share so much of your soul. Every time I read your words I am reminded to be grateful for all the gifts this life holds. Thank you!
Kem

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Sharon Saddoris
12/26/2012 11:22:01 am

Sarah what a perfect companion you had with you at this movie. The strength and love for your children remind me very much of Judy. Forever grateful you and your family are in my life.

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Vicki
12/26/2012 09:27:23 pm

Ditto to Kems comments. I love you Sarah!! (and I love Judy)

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Judy Corkery
12/27/2012 01:20:50 am

Much too much credit given me in this blog. I am so blessed to have a marvelous friend in you Sarah as well as a wonderful daughter in law. Seeing the life you Chris and the kids share warms our hearts each time we are together.
It is so nice that you and I can share our feelings, our hurts, our joys, without fear of disapproval. It is the movie that triggered our talk on the way home. Your thoughts shared on forgiveness are still with me.
The scars of past hurts are there but do not cause me pain when I recall our conversations. Thank you for this gentle reminder. Keep up the blogging. You are truly spreading hope faith and love to many.
Love you.

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Kathy
12/27/2012 11:02:46 am

Sara, I am with Kem, you write from your soul and have the most amazing way to put it into words. I too love reading your blogs and learning more and more each time about life, love, faith and forgiveness.

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Jewel
1/1/2015 07:30:49 pm

Your writing amazed me. Keep it up! :)

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