Our culture is obsessed with "...having it all" and though I have known some people who have appeared to be masters at this, a closer look usually reveals that they too are questing for this balance. I'm starting to think that it's more of a juggling act than anything else. So maybe the key is realizing that you can have it all: The happy family, great job, organized life, fun experiences, fulfilling relationships and be a great wife, mom, sister, daughter, friend, teacher, entertainer, hostess, philosopher, Christian...but maybe not all at once. Maybe it's okay to have it all some of the time, and work for fewer gaping holes between the days of your life when everything seems to click together and make sense, and everyone is happy with you! Maybe.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Tribute to one George Bailey

I think its safe to say that I have had a life-long crush on George Bailey. Since the first time I saw “It’s a Wonderful Life” in my childhood, until today, I was and remain enamored by this character, and happy to see him come around each Christmas season. I’m not alone in my admiration of George, he remains a staple of this time of year and his story is played in houses everywhere in black and white or technicolor and even the most sheltered among us, recognize some of the key phrases from the timeless classic that is “It’s a Wonderful Life”. For me, his story embodies the spirit of Christmas and serves to remind me personally of that spirit, time and time again. So here’s my tribute to George Bailey, a list of the reasons why just like Mary did, I whisper “I’ll love you, George Bailey, until the day I die!”

He is a flawed individual: aren’t we all? He’s not perfect, he’s not some superhero, he’s not even completely unselfish...BUT he does care and he is sacrificial in that care. He looks out for the people he loves and puts many of his own dreams on hold to help them out..not without complaint, mind you, but without expectation or tally of debt! Heroic in my book!
The man has boundary issues: As a boundless girl in my own right, I totally relate to this characteristic/flaw of George Bailey. He’s not very good at saying “no”, he lets people walk over him a bit, but in the long run he turns out all right! ;) Hope after all!
He’s a romantic: Lasso the moon? Need I say more? <3
He just can’t catch a break: at his most desperate moment he is assigned a guardian angel known to have “The IQ of a rabbit but the faith of a child”. We’ve all been there, but this guy just can’t catch a break, and despite his string of bad luck, he still manages to be a devoted family-man, an amazing friend, dedicated community-member, and beloved by everyone he meets.
Priorities: This is a man who knows what’s important. He chooses love over money and eventually realizes that adventure is life itself, and not something you have to chase, but something you have to recognize in every moment.


But I guess what I love most about him is that I see him in so many of the people I know, and even in myself. The George Bailey in each of us does more than we should for the people we care about and then quietly wonders if any of it matters-really. But it does matter. It’s a wonderful life...can you see it?
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