For those of you who listened to the touching Radiolab story about Emilie Gossiaux and how the love of her boyfriend Alan Lundgard seemed to serve as a bridge between the world of the living and the world of the dead, you probably came close to tears at the end. It was especially touching to hear Alan and Emilie end the program by identifying themselves as "Alan Lundgard, the boyfriend" and "Emilie Gossiaux, the girlfriend". And based on the way the story transpired and the way it ended, one would have believed that it was a "Happily Ever After" story.
But apparently not. As one of the comments attached to the Radiolad website notes, the pair split not long after Emilie regained her mobility. No specifics were given as to why. It just was. And so, for the romantics among us, there is a tinge of disappointment.
However, during last month's holiday season, I also saw the movie The Theory of Everything, the cinematic depiction of the story of Stephen Hawking (as brilliantly played by Eddie Redmayne). The key to the story here is the seemingly miraculous now 50+ year triumph of Hawking over ALS and the role his determined wife Jane (a very spunky Felicity Jones) played in being the "life force" that seemed to propel Hawking to live. Again after enduring so much hardship for thirty years, the romantics among us would be inclined to think that such a relationship would last forever. But it did not.
Finally, over the holidays, I saw the movie Into the Woods which reveals that there never is a "Happily Ever After" to the Fairy Tales we learn as youths. In our grown up world, tragedy and disappointment seem to always follow the successful endings to the Fairy Tales. Thus, Cinderella, can never expand beyond her scullery maid beginnings to keep the full interest of the butterfly Prince who was raised to be "charming, but not sincere".
I suppose these stories are a sign of the times. But the optimist in me prefers to look at the positives. For me, the love between Alan and Emilie did bring Emilie back from death, and the power of that love was miraculous. For me, the love of Jane for Stephen did keep Stephen alive, and the power of that love was also miraculous. For me, the Fairy Tales did all end with the principal characters being able to live "happily ever after" and the miracles that occurred in those stories continued to abound.
But then, I tend to be an optimist. I tend to see miracles every where. What do you see?
Have a great weekend everyone.
Peace,
Everett "Skip" Jenkins
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On Saturdays, I typically run errands. Usually the first errand I run is a recycling run where I take all my bottles and cans to the local recycling redemption center. This past Saturday, I was on my recycling run when I happened to switch on NPR's Radio Lab program. I do not normally listen to NPR on the weekends, but for some reason I did at that time and I came upon the following story
This story stopped in my tracks. It was the most unusual story I had heard in a very long time. On so many different levels, this story grabbed me and gave me a great sense of hope. Perhaps, those of you who are inclined to listen to it, and who do so, will feel the same emotions that I felt. In any event, I thought that this story would be a good way to bridge the old year with the new.
Happy New Year!
Peace,
Everett "Skip" Jenkins
P.S. This is Part One because there is a Part Two to this story, but that can come later ... after the new year has begun.
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