Mostly I was captivated with Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler and their development as the story progressed. Scarlett's character was fascinating. (*Massive spoilers up ahead, if you don't want to read them, plz escort yourself off this blog post.*) In ways she was similar to me: a Southerner of Irish decent but even moreso, I was intrigued by how different she was. This woman was conniving, rude and willing to do anything to maintain the life she imagined she would have. But Rhett. Oh, Rhett. He was sturdy, passionate and without scruples. Rugged and handsome and always willing to help.
In the story, Scarlett was a wealthy brat with a seventeen inch waist! I grew to admire and detest her unusual methods. She immediate blew off Rhett, a man with a firm interest in her, instead she married twice for spite and gain, all while her heart was set on her childhood crush Ashley. She forsook everything to be able to keep her beloved childhood land, Tara. Rhett often would come to her aid in times of her greatest trials. The Civil War was going on and heartache was all over the land. Her children suffered from not having an attentive parent who loved them, instead she was ripping down curtains to create a lush dress to wear to a ball. Eventually she married Rhett, though it was not for love, rather the large income he was receiving. He lavished her with many gifts, she had long forgone her haughtiness, but scorned him if he ever offered a kind word. She didn't understand the depths of his feelings for her, assuming it was a relationship of convenience. Eventually they had a darling daughter who he adored, as Scarlett turned him away while she pined for Ashley, he doted on her instead of his wife. The daughter's untimely death came to pass and Scarlett sought Ashley. Soon after, she realized that she didn't care for Ashley, only the idea of him. He would never understand her, never really love her for the type of woman she was. It dawned on her that her constant companion in everything had been Rhett. He had cared for her when she was cruel, when all she had was raw radishes to eat, when she had children from other men. Her eyes were opened to everything he had done for her. As she rushed back to their home, she realized how she had allowed all of these years to go by this way! When she saw him she threw herself into his arms, professing her love and offering apologies. (The romantic in me was waltzing on a cloud during this bit of the story. Sure, Scarlett was a huge jerk, but good old Rhett had loved her so deeply for so many years- he deserved to be reciprocated!) But, almost shockingly, Rhett pushed her away, finally able to do so with the sorrows and grief that he had borne for a long time. He let her know that it was too late- he simply didn't love her anymore. He offered his famous statement and left her. She was alone.
I'll give you a moment to take it all in.... What a shame. I think of the moral of that story and it gets me so emotional. It's fiction, obviously, but how easy it is to do that in our own lives! When we don't see what's right in front of us, when we take people or things for granted... There can be sadness, embarrassment or loss when our eyes are opened.
I write this because I know my blog has been a source of bitterness and sorrow in the past few months. I've written very bluntly about some of our issues. And as I recapped this story, I knew that I didn't want to be a Scarlett. Life isn't about our trials, but rather how we embrace them. I, for one, want to be grateful, to give thanks and to appreciate all that I have & all who surround me. And what a great time of year to be expressive over the best aspects of life!
Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I'm thankful. Boy, oh, boy am I thankful for my life! I'm thankful for Graham and who he is. I'm thankful for our little cluttered home. I'm thankful that even when we are as down as can be I can rely on my own personal Savior. Heck, in ways I am even grateful for our infertility (though it just about kills me to say that). I'm thankful and I hope I'll always remember to be that way.
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