This past weekend we watched Home Alone with the kids. I haven't watched this movie in a long, long time, maybe high school. I did not even remember that the movie is a Christmastime flick. Our kids, the 4 year old in particular, had a blast watching. My daughter was literally jumping out of her seat during the home defense scenes. I was overjoyed just watching the kids enjoy this movie. It is really a neat age now that we can start to let them watch some non-Disney animated movies. In all a fun night.
There was a touching scene in the movie I did not remember at all, tucked in between all the comedy. The boy in the movie, Kevin, has an older neighbor that the kids are all afraid of. mostly because the older brother makes up crazy stories about him. In the movie Kevin is running from the crooks, and he hides in the local church. There is a kids choir practicing some carols, and Kevin sees the old man neighbor sitting alone. Kevin is initially afraid as the old man moves to sit next to him. As it turns out the old man is not scary at all, and he shares some personal insight with Kevin. You see the old man is in church watching his granddaughter sing, because that is the only time he can see her. The man has a strained relationship with his son, and has not spoken to his son in years. This is why he can only see his granddaughter when his son is not around. The old man says he is afraid to call his son, because maybe he will not want to talk. With the honesty only a child can have, Kevin tells the old man to just call his son. "At least then you will know if he wants to talk, and you will have nothing to be afraid of anymore." I was choked up during the scene.
There are so many people in the world that are alone. By choice or by circumstances, there is a lot of loneliness and despair in the world. Just watch the news. I want to take time to say hello to someone I do not know. Maybe the old cranky looking guy in my neighborhood, or someone I never say hello to at work. The holiday season brings up so may feelings, and you can take a few spare seconds and brighten up someone's day with a simple "hello." You can do your best to make sure someone near you is not home alone.
