Ready for Some Warmth

There's a bit in 1986's "The Mosquito Coast" where the asparagus farmer, Mr. Polski, says to Charlie "Your father is the worst kind of pain in the neck: A know-it-all who's sometimes right."

That keeps coming to mind again and again these days. For some reason.

I can't find it on YouTube, which is a pity. There are clips from the movie, yes, but not this particular scene. And it's a good one. It's that innocent little bit of foreshadowing at the beginning of any great novel that comes to pass, even if you as the reader don't want it to. Because Charlie's father, Allie Fox, sets out to change the world in the wilds of Honduras. And brings the first trappings of the civilized society he sneers so contemptuously at when he lived with his family in Massachusetts.

So there's that.

And there's this: A Facebook friend asked whose fictional character's death "really got to you." My response:

This is not a death, but the ending of the story of Samwise Gamgee in "The Return of the King" gets me every time I think about it.

He carried Frodo through Mordor. He briefly carried the One Ring. Of anyone in the Fellowship, including Gandalf, only Sam knew what his master went through, and continued to endure long after the adventures were over and the Shire scoured.

And in groups, he saw his friends leave for the Undying Lands.

The last time he returns from the Grey Havens and Rosie puts his little girl in his lap and he says, "Well, I'm back," that rips at my heart.

Yes, he follows his companions to the Undying Lands. But that's after a long life of living without them. He experienced a long life of joy, mingled with grief.

Which of course came in part from this, which I shared on Facebook today:

We continue in our era of joy mingled with grief. And some of us behave like the elves, wishing for stasis, that the peace enjoyed a thousand years ago could still be enjoyed today.

But the world changes. And while we don't have to change with it, we can't waste away, pining for the more peaceful times. Because our hope lies elsewhere.

But even then. We go on, like Samwise Gamgee, living the best life. Serving others. Loving those dear to us. But not forgetting where we came from and where it is we can go when all is done.

* * *

On to different things.

The stay-at-home order has been extended through the end of the month. No real surprise there. And this week, it's been cold, with a bit of snow.

I'm ready for some warmth.