"I can only take so much Hallmark……."
The conversation that ensued was delightful; invigorating while sparking something in me that I didn't know was there. Actually, lack of sleep will do that too, as in everything becomes just a little more silly, a little more random, a little more….well, here's a quote from our conversation, inspired by the endless array of Hallmark Holiday movies:
"... A coffee shop. A widow. Or widower. Perfect snowfalls. Cute, darling children. A lost pet that the gentleman with perfect teeth returns to it's owner who, of course works in the coffee shop (the 2nd of her three jobs) just to pay the rent on her teeny tiny 2 room loft apartment which is over a shoe store where a cobbler mends her shoes just in time to be dressed for the dance at Joe's Crab Shack down by the bay. Where of course Mr. Perfect Teeth likes to go on Thursdays for the all-you-can-eat-crab-legs. But what is this? He has an injury and the lost pet happens to be a rescue dog and as he is drowning his sorrow in ice-tea and crab legs, who should waltz in but Ms 3 Jobs. And it is love."
(Stay tuned. The ending is at the end. The P.S.)
And to think, this random Hallmark moment came after only one cup of
Or just the ramblings of a tired mind that has been overexposed the last few weeks to the predictable, happily-ever-after story lines that make up November and December on the Hallmark channel. Not that these story's are wrong or harmful to watch, they are just not always reliable pictures of reality.
Reality that says not every ending is happy, and there are children who will go to bed hungry tonight. And let's not forget the mother whose arms ache to hold that which was snatched from her. Or the dad who really has exhausted every resource and now he has to tell his wife and kids that the next step is the street. And what about the reality for many who are facing large college debts, have a degree but no job? Or the one living with regret over harsh words she can never take back?
Okay, Hallmark does have something in that they show stories of people in hard circumstances, overcoming grief and heartache, regaining a positive attitude. They are trying to show uplifting, encouraging moments to touch the hearts of those watching. But, their happy endings are because everything falls into place perfectly. The timing is impeccable, the setting is romantic to the extreme. In real life? Not always so.
I keep thinking of a song, an ancient hymn often sung during Advent as we anticipate the birth of Jesus, the Saviour that was anticipated to save us all, not from every hurt, every unhappy ending, but to give us hope in eternal life, a different kind of happyly-ever-after. He would be the one to see me through the hard times, walking with me in the midst of the mess. He never promised my life would be a Hallmark movie, but I'll take it.
O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
Love,
Dianne
P.S.Mr Perfect Teeth reluctantly returned the dog to Ms 3 jobs. He leaves the Crab Shack, stumbling out the door. The next morning, he hears a strange noise when he wakes up. (No, it's not from what he ate the night before.) He makes his way downstairs and finds, next to a freshly brewed cup of coffee, a note. As it directs him to look outside, he does, and there he sees a puppy. With a Christmas bow. And next to the puppy is Ms 3 Jobs who has decided on a new career of training dogs for service to those in need of a companion to assist. Music cues. They walk towards each other. They pause in the doorway, mistletoe dangles above them….
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