We have incredible stories to tell...

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer is a deep, complicated, beautiful novel about one family's experience with loss on 9/11. The novel was turned into a movie and it was surprisingly wonderful. They seemed to capture the essence of Foer's story  in such a way that moved me to tears, caused me to feel that deep tug of  sadness and yet there was a hopeful edge that reminded me that 

we are all so very connected.

Even though 9/11 and all the events surrounding it reaches the depths of despair in such a way that is incomprehensible, there is a sense of "common experience" of 9/11 that Foer and the movie makers truly captured. There is a level of reality that is not always realized in fiction.(Even fiction based on true events.) The story was messy, complicated, surreal, endearing and allowed us to feel our humanity.  It had elements of relatability that I appreciated.

It not only remind me that as a nation we were all a part of the Tragedies of 9/11 but that we, as humans, have the potential to be connected by incredible stories.

Our stories may not be as stark as the 2,996 incredible stories that could be told from the 9/11 attacks but we all have incredible stories to tell. Our stories are also complicated, deep, messy, endearing and often surreal. Their powers lie in the ability to teach others about life and how to navigate

through triumphs and tragedy.

 It takes courage to tell our stories, but I think when we do, we connect to each other in a way that helps us feel less alone, less afraid and more able to survive in an unpredictable world where everything around us feels extremely loud and incredibly close.

“You is kind, you is smart, you is important.”

I read The Help last summer. It was amazing. I watched the movie today, and I am in awe.

I don't really want to get into a full review of the movie or the book, but I feel the need to get it out there that this is one hell of a story that I think everyone should experience.

After reading the book I remember experiencing deep admiration for a gutsy story like this to be told. Kathryn Stockett showed us what life was like for “the help” in the 1960's in the Deep South. It was filled with humiliation, injustice, strength and enormous amounts of courage to survive. I was inspired and informed; changed, really.

Today, as I sat in the movie theater I was in awe how these women who had begun to change my life last summer, were doing it again. I am always a bit leery of a book becoming a movie and it being “ruined” by Hollywood, but today I was moved in a way that took me by surprise.

From beginning to end, I was on a rollercoaster of chuckles, hearty laughter, small tears, big tears, and an occasional gasp. This movie brought back all the women I loved so much in the book. And now, just as when I finished reading The Help, I’m left with a lasting heartwarming glow. I also left wanting to continue to learn from them about the courage it takes to speak truth.

I think the highlight for me, the miracle I saw today, were the words of one of the main characters, Abileen, and what she says to her girl Mae Mobley. She says, “You is kind, you is smart, you is important.” Every time it was said, tears instantly streamed down my cheeks.

Despite the circumstances for Abileen, she knew that these simple words could influence Mae Mobley to be stronger than her surroundings. She could be who she was meant to be because of the truth being spoken to her.

I am grateful for this miracle today as I enter into another year of teaching. I happen to be in a place where I can speak truth to kids about who they really are: they are kind, smart and important.

I can only hope that the women of The Help continue to inspire me to not only have courage, but to speak truth to those who may not hear it otherwise.