Jim and I just got back from taking in the Sunday afternoon showing of
The Way, starring Martin Sheen and directed by his son Emilio Estevez (the one that didn't go off the rails this year). It was playing at the
Opera House - one of our favorite ways to enjoy a Sunday afternoon sans check-ins is to have a late brunch at the Press Room and then have popcorn at the movies later in the afternoon. We call that dinner.
It turned out to be a wonderful way to spend two hours - a movie with meaning but without violence or gratuitous sex, with heart but without maudlin sappiness, with inspiration and faith but no doctrine or dogma. Ridiculously, I had a lump in my throat and wet eyes even as I smiled at the ending. Yes, there were predictable moments but none of the pilgrims' journey felt forced, and Sheen was a marvelously controlled soul for this film. He perfectly portrays a man on an unexpected journey (the pilgrimage of the Camino de Santiago to the tomb of Saint James in Northern Spain) after the sudden death of his only son. "You don't choose a life, you live it" is the creed that Sheen inherits from his son.
If you're not lucky enough to have an independent movie theater like the Opera House showing
this movie, it's also available on DVD. See it - you'll be glad you did.
Jeanne & Jim at the
Thomas Shepherd Inn B&B in Shepherdstown, WV
Friday's Shepherdstown Chronicle (our weekly newspaper) brought a moving editorial from a long-time town resident, John Meeker, about the myriad of reasons that he loves living in our small town. Although I don't always agree with John, in this case I can say that he speaks for me and many, many of our neighbors and friends in describing the attractions of this little burg. Take a minute to read it here. At this time of year, it's easy to remember 'it's a wonderful Shepherdstown life.'
Everyone wants to be jolly during the holiday season, but it's not always easy. Traffic jams, pricey gifts, too many people in too-small spaces can make anyone feel more like the Grinch than a joyful Santa. Sugar Pine Realty has suggestions on "How to Deal with Holiday Stress".
