One of our unusual Thanksgiving traditions is to watch the film Cast Away (starring Tom Hanks) each year. It is one of my favorite films. It mixes a realistic love story, tragic events and survivalist plot with humor and tenderness, including a particularly poignant ’open’ ending. The film reminds us that even though it seems like we don’t have a lot (I’m speaking both personally and of the recession), we are truly wealthy. Simple things like clean, readily-available water, fire, shelter, clothing and a rich variety of food choices are often taken for granted, but are all we really ‘need’ to sustain our life.
Hanks’ character leaves a marker on the Island, saying that he ‘escaped to sea.’ The real problem with the Island was not that he wasn’t able to survive there, he was . . . it was that the island was like a prison isolation room; no choices and no contact with humankind. Even though in the ‘end’ of the film he is left with nothing, the hope of reuniting with his love shattered by the fact that she married and had a child, I find the end of the film hopeful and not depressing. He returns the one ‘winged’ package that was an inspiration to him while trapped on the Island (has a brief encounter with its sender) and stands at the crossroads, out in the middle of nowhere. This could be the moment of despair, but instead he smiles. He has choices. He has hope. Life goes on. Maybe he’ll follow that cute artist back down her road and strike up a conversation. I’d like to think that he does.
I am grateful to have choices. I have all I need and a loving wife besides. I have a great family. I have friends. I have a small place in my community. I’m grateful for this beautiful world and the gospel of Jesus Christ . . . His message that love of God and love of man will fulfill His law and fulfill your life. I’m grateful to live in this great nation, which, even though it has its problems, is still a place filled with unparalleled choice and freedom.
Happy Thanksgiving!
