What If You Didn’t Live?
Posted by Michelle Moquin on December 14th, 2008
Literally. I mean, what if you did not exist? How would the world be different if your life never happened?
One of my favorite movies that Doug and I always watch during the Christmas Holidays, besides our favorite musical ‘White Christmas’, is the very famous movie with the very famous man with the very distinguished voice. Have you guessed it yet? It’s frank Capra’s, “It’s A Wonderful Life’ (1946 ) with non other than Jimmy Stewart.
I have been watching this movie since I was a young girl. And every year I look forward to it, excited, as if it was a new movie that I had never seen before… but, of course I have seen it a zillion times and I have my favorite parts.
Every year the movie has a slightly different affect on me depending on where I am in my life. This year, especially with…and I know I’ve brought this up so much lately, the effects of our economy and how it has affected the world….well…if you haven’t seen ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’, then you have been missing out. Because I think no matter how financially up or how financially down you are, everyone can relate to it in some way, shape or form. No wonder this wonderful movie is shown every year.
If you haven’t seen it then I will give you a very simple synopsis:
Jimmy Stewart plays George Bailey, who is a young man anxious to travel and see the world. Only his father passes suddenly and he needs to take over and run the family’s Savings and Loan business. He feels that his dream will never happen and he commits himself to giving up his big dreams for the good of the town, Bedford Falls. Year later he seems to have the picture perfect life running the business, and married to his beloved sweetheart Mary Hatch with whom he had 4 children. But on Christmas Eve, George’s Uncle Billy loses the cash they owe the bank, which is owned by the Scrooge-esque Mr. Potter. This leads George to a life crisis, and he contemplates suicide. He’s saved at the last moment by the appearance of his guardian angel, Clarence.
There are so many profound aspects of this movie that I wish I could explore with you, but today I am focusing on the point of my article.
What would the world be like without you in it?
That is what the angel Clarence showed George. He showed George just what his little world would look like if he never existed. And it wasn’t pretty.
Just what part have you played in the play of your life? Have you ever thought about it? I have. And as much as I would hope that my family and friends would still have a ‘wonderful’ life, I know that it would be different than it is now. I don’t know many things but what I do know for sure is that my brother would not have a sister that would encourage him to go for his dreams or show him just how much I respect and love him. I know my mother would not have a daughter that she could pal around with like a sister sometimes, and a confidant that she could open up to. Nor would my father have his alone time where he could connect with his daughter and converse about the highs and lows that creative people have.
And my husband Doug…what would his life be like? I always joke with him when he says ‘What would I do without you?’ And my answer is always, ‘You would be lost with out me – a loser.’ I know that he would not, but I also know that his life would be so different. I know I am an inspiration to him in many ways, and the yin partner in his life. He would not get to enjoy the way I make him laugh or the sound of my walk.
And the animals that I have given my time and my heart to? I know that some animal’s lives would not be around this day if it were not for me. Lucy included. There would be one less voice for them in support of their livelihood.
And my friends? Well…I know that they would have one less good friend that they could count on to be there for them; a friend that truly wishes them the best in spite of whatever is going on in her life.
And possibly a few more things :)
What about you? What would you see if you had your angel run a movie of your life without you? Blog me.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: Your Bad Ass Bitch Editor
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December 14th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
I often wonder what the world would be like without me. I have three wonderful children. They have become a credit to their country. I can’t say who they are but it is so delightful to look in the mirror and say “but for me the world would not have these three wonderful people.
Caroline
December 14th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Damn good topic. I wonder why I’m the first to comment. It probably is a bit of an ego trip to answer. But I bet a lot of people have said uhmmmm.
I know a lot of people would not be grieving if I weren’t alive. Haaaaa, I am an uncaught serial ———– well you know.
sam
December 14th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
I like the aliens. But I love Anonz. You are so sexy. You make my nights steamy and sweet. Do continue to write in. I’m with Zen Lill. Don’t risk that hard body in battle. Do you have an unmarried brother?
What makes risking your life in Africa so important? Can’t you find a cause in the USA worthy of your efforts?
Michelle, why listen to Anonz? He wouldn’t know if you got Madaline to keep him alive. What’s more important your readers or his silly male pride.
Sorry Anonz, Zen Lill is too nice to say it. You are being ridiculous. We don’t want you to die. So either get your ass back here or we send Madaline to watch your back.
How about it girls? Speak up or risk losing this man stud to man pride. Why are women so much more practical? Maybe that’s why Zen Lill had to ask the obvious question of why you Anonz have to make war in Africa.
IT WILL NOT BRING NIA BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sandra
December 14th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
You wish. I think silly sam would be a better title.
December 14th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
I really don’t know if the world would miss me. But I sure would miss it
Mary
December 14th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
Wow I got in. I actually had a lot more to say but I have been posting that since this morning. I run a catholic class for recovering catholics. People who have at one time or another given up on being a practicing catholic.
I think I have made a significant contribution to my faith and some of the people I have return to being practicing catholics have gone on to have considerable influence in the world of politics.
We did accomplish the repeal of the gay marriages. So yes I think the world is better that I am a part of it.
Mary
December 14th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
So you think I am a fake. I noticed that you didn’t have the cajones to leave your name.
S. Sam
December 14th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Here in India I work to make like better for battered women. I hope that I have made their lives a better place.
Alpa
December 14th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Michelle
My brother will not be missed. Send Madaline to deal with him. I told him to read your column a month ago. When I returned home from college I found a big picture of you on his bedroom wall. He is a sick chauvinistic pig.
28 years old and still living at home sponging off of our parents. He’s a doctor for god’s sake. Our mother is 46 and our father is 58. They would like to travel and enjoy the fruits of their labors. But this selfish ass just keeps sponging off them.
He pretends to be gay to prey on the sympathy of women. He says he doesn’t believe in aliens yet he is always quoting the latest comment of one of them from your blog.
My dad says his patients love him. I say he must be prescribing them mind altering drugs for them to say that. Go ahead laugh Mark. Madaline will not take kindly to you fondling yourself over her commander.
Beam him up girls. Don’t hurt him, just give him a good scare.
Tiffany
December 14th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
This question has crossed my mind numerous times, at various times in my life, and a few times recently. It certainly makes one stop and take stock in one’s life process and personality.
Seeing life “without” means one must see what their life “is” and seeing the value of the void. I reflect on myself with that question and am humbled to find the love, humor, creativity, exploration, wonder, awe, knowledge, determination and more. What we all do as people, while interacting together, is to help create and add to an energy that is of and part of something that is much larger than ourselves. Therefore, when pondering that question to myself, I begin to realize the power to which I am capable of when interacting in the game of life.
It is humbling to see the self in such a way and recognize the power that one holds in not only one’s own life, but in how it can relate, affect and effect others.
I know that my life with you, Michelle, helped bring out a you that was neglected and hidden. The freedom to life, and the steadfast flow I hold, allowed you to break free of those binds and begin to see the glorious you that you have become. Giving you the love for you to let go and find the person you want to be, without condition.
I meditated one day, way back, in the beginning when I thought I would never see you again. That meditation was based on this question. When you needed space and thought we shouldn’t see each other again. We hadn’t seen or spoke to each other for a few months that went by. To really love someone or thing is to set them free, without condition. To detach and let their life be for them what it needs to be. I reached that point, that day, on that meditation. I let “us” go…About an hour later, out of the blue, you called. And we have been together ever since.
I am glad that I am, rather than not…
…and I do love to hear you walk…