I am grateful for...

As I think back on the past week, I am grateful for...
:: Seeing all the birds visit the feeders - especially the six cedar waxwings that came to the cherry tree yesterday.
:: For the cats and dogs who seem to warm the room up on cold winter nights.
:: Making a nice New Year's Day dinner with Sophia, and trying new recipes from a Russian cookbook.
:: Programs that are available to help my parents navigate the journey of Alzheimer's Disease.
:: Being able to develop new skills with caregiving, and see that they are helping my parents.
:: Time to play games and read books to my daughters.
:: Two reminders this week - one from a friend and one from a movie - to be okay with who I am and what I have to offer.
 
On Sophia's tenth birthday this past week, she wanted to see the movie "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader."  It's the third movie that Disney has produced in the Narnia series (though it's the fifth book in The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis).  It's an excellent movie with  touching and inspirational themes such as: resisting temptation, sustaining faith/belief, perseverance, responsibility, facing fears, the honor in bravery, and the desire for a greater country.

One scene was particularly meaningful (and timely) for me.  It was a reminder that each person is valuable and needs to be comfortable with her appearance, skills, and personality.  This is a particularly special message for girls, no matter their age.

In the movie (and book), "Voyage of the Dawn Treader," Lucy has long compared herself, unfavorably, to her beautiful older sister, Susan. So Lucy's greatest challenge here is the temptation to turn herself into Susan—via the magician's book.

She recites a spell and is thrilled when she sees herself as Susan. Then, despite the protestations of Aslan, she rips the page out of the book and takes it back onboard the Dawn Treader to recite again. When she does she's whisked back to England, this time transformed into Susan—and finds that, in so doing, she's almost wished herself away.

In the movie, Aslan says, “Lucy, what have you done child? You wished yourself away. You doubt your value, don’t run from who you are.”

Sage advice for our times, when many girls try to conform to a standard template of beauty or pretend to be someone they are not.