Have you seen The Beginning of Life? It’s an amazing, touching, inspiring documentary about early infancy and childhood, about mankind and the importance of love for all of our futures. My friend Janelle recommended it (she is always recommending great things, that great lady!) when we went out earlier this week with a bunch of girlfriends. Not only was the night amazing (though I got drunker than I have in probably more than a year — eek!), it lifted my spirits, which have been in an icky place lately.
And then, to go home and watch this on Netflix the following day, I was completely blown away. I cried probably four or five times throughout this, just remembering the fleeting time of each of my boys’ infancies, and at the same time feeling overwhelmed by how awful everything in the news is right now, how unfair the world is, how badly I want to make things right in our country and where oh where to start? How can I have an impact? I felt like watching this gave me new hope for mankind during such a dark time, a reminder that there are so many of us who care, who choose love and tolerance instead of hate and fear, that it is our responsibility to teach our children to be better, to love people and stand up for the oppressed, to fight for peace and equality.
My heart is so full of sorrow for those lost in the Orlando shooting, for the most recent police shootings in Minnesota and Louisiana, for all people who have lost their lives due to injustice and war in this world. It is too much to handle, I have no words.
** Update: I wrote this last night, before the Dallas shootings — obviously, my heart goes out to everyone whose lives have been turned upside down by all of this loss, including the police officers who lost their lives last night.
Yes! Enjoyed this documentary as well. And I too cried. Even watching the trailer again makes me a little emotional. As they say, love wins.
I cant even make it through the trailer without crying!! I wish those years hadnt gone by so fast. I love your blog, I read it from a small town in the UK every week. Thank you so much for taking the time to write it. Claire
Oh, Claire, I know! I can’t either! I’m just full of emotions these days! Thank you for saying hello!
Oh, gosh. That was so beautiful and life-affirming, and made me a teary mess. “When you pay attention to the beginning of a story, you can change the whole story.” We all ultimately want the same thing for our children, right? To have them be loved, and live happy, good lives? It’s universal.
I am a wreck over what is going on in the world lately. I deactivated my facebook account today because it’s all become too much. The negativity, the open celebration of hatred and bigotry. I can’t invite it in anymore. Stuff like this, though? This is what I need to see more of.
I know, Allison. I spent pretty much ALL of Friday crying. I can’t reconcile with myself my own white privilege, the complicated truth of it (especially in St. Louis) and how just talking about it does nothing. I have no idea what to do or where to start, only hoping that standing up and saying something when I hear bigotry or racism and saying it’s not okay and teaching my children compassion and love and peace for all people on a daily basis does something in the long run. I can only hope that when our children are adults, this will no longer be an issue. I hope, I hope, I hope.
I have been reading so much about this. And on one hand, it makes me hurt and a total crazy lady who cries in public. On the other hand, I think it helps to read about all of the people who care and who want to make a change. This documentary, which I watched with all of these tragedies in mind, helped me to remember the good in people and the hope that people have. I hope you watch it, I hope you love it!
Lauren –
I really recommend checking out We Stories – their blog and their website, and also follow them on IG if you are on that platform.
http://www.westoriesstl.com
They give so many concrete things that white families can do within their families, particularly with young children. They have local meetups and organize tours and events and discussions, and I think what Laura and Adelaide are doing is really important.