I watched the classic movie, The Bishop's Wife. I watched with a different slant on the scenes this time. I absorbed the magic of black and white film, the plays of darks and lights, so expertly focused, a Yin and Yang of rest and motion. In the introductory panorama, I saw eager children in a big city gazing in wonder at the giant store window displays of mechanically animated Santa and Reindeer playing. I was that child again as the electric train whizzed along the track! I remembered my Dad and I played with the Lionel Electric Train under the tree, our white cat batted at the cars. In my imagination, I enjoyed again the Bavarian Chocolate from Gimbel's Department Store in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA.
I became the child resting on a magic carpet, a royal blue and ruby patterned oriental rug. I was drawing pictures of horses on a paper pad in my Grandfather's home office. Scenes of the Bishop's house in the movie brought back graceful wooden archways, carved banisters, tall ceilings, and stained glass window panels of my Grandfather's home setting of long ago.
The closing dialogue of the movie shook me into the present. The priest was delivering his Christmas Message, he ruffled through his typed sermon. He looked confused. This was not the sermon he wrote! What happened? The visiting Angel has written a new one for him! The priest cleared his throat and begin to speak:
"Then there are the gifts, especially the gifts. You give me a book, I give you a tie...." but the true gifts are:
"Warm Hearts, Loving Kindness, and the Stretched Out Hand of Tolerance...."
Happy New Year, Y(our) Evolving Door!
Related Posts:
For the Love of Chocolate (Jan 2011) and A Christmas Memory (Dec 2011)
Resources:
The Bishop's Wife, (1947), classic movie starring Cary Grant (Angel), David Niven (Episcopal Bishop), and Loretta Young, The Bishop's Wife.
Gift from the Sea is classic book by Anne Morrow Lindbergh, the power of solitude, reflection and creativity.
http://lindtchocolate.com
Lindor Chocolate Truffles from Lindt recreate the taste and creamy texture of classic candies. Master Swiss Chocolatier Lindt Chocolate since 1845
http://www.taichiforhealthinstitute.org
Dr. Paul Lam, a family practice physician in Sidney, Australia creates Tai Chi for Health programs with medical doctors and Tai Chi experts. Tai Chi opens and balances the power of your mind's creative and logical thinking plus helps you achieve better physical health and well being.
Image: Gifts from the Sea, seashells from Susanne, photo by Dahlis Roy
