The Russell Girl - Mom insights

CAUTION: Spoilers may lie within. Read at your own risk...

The hubby and I watched the newest Hallmark Hall of Fame movie tonight, The Russell Girl, starring Amber Tamblyn. Now, as a quick aside, I'm really surprised he stayed up for it, and about 3/4 of the way in I told him as much (I thought it would be a lilttle too "touchy-feely/chick-flicky for him). His simple reply - "I wanted to see it, too.". Ok. News to me, but very cool. And no elaboration was forthcoming, so I took it as face value. He's a surprising guy sometimes!

On to the movie...

In many of my Biblee-stufy classes, it usually comes out that God sometimes puts you through things so that you may be an example or a comfort to others going through the same thing. This movie was a shining example of that!

Essentially, Sarah Russell (Tamblyn) did something as a teenager that haunted her well into her 20s. It also subjected her neighbors to emotional turmoil and no one ever really talked about it in either family. The neighbor mother essentially fell to pieces - both in the past and when Sarah came home. But, she eventually found her footing again - just in time to help Sarah's family with their new troubles.

It was, at times, as if everything was happening just in time to move the story along and was of course very Hallmark-y, feel good, all's well the ends well sort of thing. But, the point was still made. The neighbor mother got through the trouble just in time to explain and help Sarah's mother.

Sometimes it seems like a platitude, but God really DOES have a reason for putting you through bad times. Sometimes it might be just so you can understand the good times better. Or, it might be so you can be an example to other of what NOT to do (I personally feel this is where I usually fall!). And even more so, it's so you can help someone else move positively through the same situation.

At this point, I have to bring up my mom (and hopefully don't embarass her too much. Sorry mom - you are a great example here).

Many years ago, she and I were in a car accident. That was followed by another one 6 months later just with her. Same van, same road, almsot the same type of accident and she broke the same foot/ankle. There was a LONG healing process (and many hours of her and me watching Ice Castles but that's another story!). Eventually, the troubles she had with that leg ended with a below-knee amputation.

This amputation meant learning to drive left-footed (thankfully she's already right-brained with being left-handed so this may not as been as hard as it could have). It also meant years of limping and additional surgeries, troubles with broken legs (the prosthetics) and less-than-helpful orthopods. But, that doesn't stop her. She drives everywhere (although I haven't convinced her to drive cross-country yet!), she works full-time, she sings in the church choir, volunteers, goes on LONG shopping trips with yours truly, etc. She's great!

But, beyond dealing with her own troubles, she does more than that. With her new husband, she helps direct the Ohio Wheelchair Games. She's willing to discuss her situation with anyone who shows interest - she doesn't scorn them for being curious about something so many people don't have a clue about, but discusses it with frankness and a highh sense of humor. She's had a good laugh over "scaring" a lady at a swimming pool where she had left her leg in her jeans on a lounge chair while she took a dip (I still love that story!). She's had good cries with anyone who has difficult times or troubles and never "one ups" them on it (would never think of making such statements as 'you think that's bad? I lost my leg!'). I was even told a story by my grandmother where a minister talked with mom for quite a while after running into her at a mall and just being so touched by her and her story and who she is. She hasn't let something that is obviously, in-your-face, debilitating stop her from enjoying life or helping other.

Now, take a minute to think about your life. What negative situation have you overcome? What sadness have you turned into happiness? What door closed and subsequent window opened? And think of how you can channel that into helping others. How can you articulate that into a positive story of hurt and help?