Complete with me falling over the gate between the kitchen and dining room and busting up my knees and elbows and a total meltdown at the park when my oldest screamed that he hated me and only loved his daddy. He was already on his last warning and that was the end of the park for us. We’d been there for maybe 15 minutes. I try to do something fun and nice and obviously I am mistaken when I think my kids will appreciate it. It doesn’t make it any easier that I’m single parenting this week. *sigh*
But tonight, after the oldest one went to bed I sat down on the couch to see what was on the TV. I scrolled through the program guide and *lo and behold* there is my mostfavoritemovieever.
I first saw Steel Magnolias as a teenager at the dollar theater. I was 14 and for the first time in my life I realized how strong women can be. And of course Southern women are a special breed! I identified with Shelby and her love of pink, the subtle rebellion against her “perfect” mother, and so much more. When I went to college, I ended up in the same sorority that Susan Harling (the inspiration for Shelby’s character) had been in. My oldest son’s name came from the movie, though my husband will deny that to the grave. And watching it tonight, probably for the first time since my youngest was born, I was struck by just how much Shelby’s toddler resembles my own small blond child.
This is the only movie I’ve ever watched where I can be sobbing one minute and laughing hysterically the next. I know every line by heart and mouth the words along with the movie. It really has so many great lines and the cast is amazing…I love watching the interpersonal dynamics play out. I’ve moved so much as an adult that I no longer have girlfriends like the women in the movie and I really miss that kind of relationship. Someone to hang out at the salon and gossip with…and lean on when times are tough. Just when I start to think that all I need is my little family, something reminds me that there’s more out there and I’m missing out.
