Jonah Day

I had one of those days today. One of those days that starts with not hearing your alarm and ends with crawling into bed by 7pm to watch the Kardashians. One of those days where your outfit is completely wrong (I chose a thin blouse on the day the fog rolled in and it decided to plummet to the 40s), and you're sure the whole world can see the sore on your lip or the pimple on your forehead. You find yourself stuttering to make basic conversation.  One of those days where the syllabus is wrong and you show up for class (the day of a presentation you're giving) having read the wrong story. You manage to get miffed at/ irritate half your family members, even being across an ocean. One of those days where between seminars you end up sitting in a crowded pub eating leftover Cheerios from the Ziplock bag in your purse because you forgot your packed lunch in the fridge at home and you're too cheap to buy a pasty or sandwich.

It was one of those days where nothing all that terrible happened. But to quote my favorite character, Anne  (yes, the one of Green Gables), it was just a "Jonah Day." A day where all that's left to do is hole up in bed with the blanket I'm crocheting and a few chocolate-covered biscuits. Okay, more than a few. I think I've eaten my weight in Digestives since I've been here. And if you count how many pounds  (meaning British $, not weight –– though better be careful now that I'm thinking about it) Sara and I have spent just on these cookies, we might be able to help lower American debt or something.

But if there's a sure-fire way to turn my bad day better, it's to re-watch one of my favorite childhood movies. Tonight's pick: A Little Princess. While watching, I was thinking how the movies we watch and books we read when we're young inform our developing views of life. From A Little Princess, I learned that Daddys always like to dance with their daughters. I learned that goodbyes and death and cruelty are part of life, but that doesn't mean life loses its luster (I love the part where she dances out in the snow, flinging out her hands and giggling at the wonder of snow flakes. Even though she has nothing to be happy about, she finds magic.) I learned that imagination keeps life vibrant, and good stories are intoxicating. I learned that kindness will be rewarded in turn with kindness (even when you thought it went unnoticed). I learned to work on upper-body strength in case I'm ever hanging by my fingers out a 5th-story window in the rain and need to pull myself up. I learned that friendship should be extended to the different, the strange, and even the bullies. I learned that bad guys never win, and that your dolls come to life when you walk out of your room.

In the movie, Sarah (aka the Little Princess) draws a circle around herself –– for in her imaginary stories, that circle will protect her from any real harm. I couldn't help but think how comforting that would be to have a "safe circle." On days like this –– or those so much worse –– you could pull your legs up to your chin and sit in safety, away from heartache and pettiness and disappointment and sin. But then, come to think about it, I do have safe circles. I have sweet childhood memories (like this movie) that taught me the beauty of kindness and patience and laughter. I have a Dad who danced with me. I have a good imagination. I have friends and family who accepted me. I have a God who can allow a man to get swallowed by a fish and still live to tell the tale. I'm not naive enough to think that sin and hurt won't ever touch me, but thanks to A Little Princess (and some life experience), I am still optimistic enough to know the bad guy doesn't win.