Courageous

Since watching Fireproof (in one of my earlier posts), my husband and I have been obsessively watching all other movies by the producers of Fireproof. This one, Courageous, was another one I really like. 

The message of this movie is about what a father should actually be. It had me crying in the first ten minutes and then laughing soon after. When watching this movie, I couldn't help but think of my dad and what a wonderful role model he was for me. Some of my favorite memories as a child are of daddy daughter dates where my dad would take me to breakfast, or he would even just take time to help me practice playing volleyball and softball--often times letting me practice serving the volleyball and he would just run around getting the ball and throwing it back to me to try to serve again. As this movie expresses, fathers truly do play a tremendous role in the lives of their children and ensuring they live honestly.  

Where the Red Fern Grows

Growing up, my favorite book was ‘Where the Red Fern Grows’ by Wilson Rawls. In this book, a young boy saves up his money to buy two Redbone Coonhounds. These hounds become his best friends and are excellent raccoon hunters. They are challenged many times to prove themselves in hunting raccoons, and in doing so bring the family enough money they can move into a better living situation. The hounds eventually die as one is attacked by a mountain lion and the other dies of grief. The boy realizes how much of an influence the hounds had on his life and the eventual success of his family, showing that loyalty and friendship make a profound difference in one’s life.

Most people are surprised that this is my favorite book from my childhood because it is not a book most would think of when thinking of children’s books, but for me, my love of this book did not come because of the storyline. Rather, it came because it was a book my father read to me and my siblings each night. His father had read it to him, and he then read it to us.  Although I began this post talking about 'Where the Red Fern Grows', I think the real glistening star I want to point out is the time we spend reading together and the influence it has on families, children, and relationships. The memories I have of lying in bed or sitting around my father and listening to him read are some of the fondest memories I have of my childhood. I think the time we spent reading together laid the foundation for the relationship we have now.In m y opinion, reading with your children makes a tremendous difference in their lives. I'm looking forward to the day that we have children and are able to read with them.

The Perfect Cast

My husband and I went fishing this weekend with some of our friends, and every time I go fishing, I think about "The Perfect Cast" from 'A Goofy Movie'. You know, the cast that Goofy tries to teach Max (who is frustrated with his dad) and then Max uses to save Goofy's life when he is falling off the waterfall. Yup. That's it. The perfect cast.

I think this movie qualifies as one of the bright stars in the world of media. When I think of this movie, I think of a message about family. It shows that despite all of the ups and downs in a family, we should be there for each other. We should trust in each other and that families working together can accomplish a lot. This movie was one of my favorites as a kid, but as I have grown up, I've thought less and less about how funny it is and thought more and more about the message it shares. Spending time with family has become one of my favorite things, and I hope that my kids will share in that joy.