Synopsis: George Bailey has spent his entire life giving up his big dreams for the good of his town, Bedford Falls. But, on Christmas Eve, he is broken and suicidal over the misplacing of $8000 and the machinations of the evil millionaire Mr. Potter. His guardian angel, Clarence, falls to Earth, literally, and shows him how his town, family, and friends would have turned out if he had never been born.
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We are in our final week of shows for this production. I find myself growing more grateful and thankful every performance. Greenville Little Theatre stands as a testament of what good people can accomplish when you combine passion, art and love for others: a reminder that we are all more alike than not.
This afternoon I was asked what impacted me during Saturday evenings performance last week. Since I’ve mentioned that I learn something every night, it is a fair question. Here is what hit me, encouraged me and has caused me to look more closely at people I see along my day: how George handled the loss of hearing in his ear.
George lost his hearing from complications to an illness he acquired while saving the life of his little brother. It hit me that the majority of the times we hear George mention his “bum ear” is when he’s receiving good news and he is in a bit of disbelief. He never mentions it when he receives bad or discouraging news.
That’s what hit me. I certainly don’t relish bad news but it has certainly been the main type I’ve received since diagnosis. So it became easier to handle. That sounds odd, I’m sure. But my new normal was just that – varying shades of not-so-great news. The few times I’ve heard exciting news became a bit difficult to comprehend. My mind had adapted to the bad.
I’ve looked back at my experience to try and understand this change. There are moments that stick out and I’ll share two. Early on in the experimental treatments every piece of good news was followed up with a big “but.” 😂 (A good play on words is healthy for a long-lasting sense of humor.) Then there was the first Oncoligist I encountered after we moved to another state – she read my medical records and informed me that should I relapse she would not start treatment again. Her words ring loud and clear in my mind, “your quality of life is not something I can condone. I will make you comfortable but that is it.” 🥺😳😢 My Rock said a few choice words and then whisked me right out of there. Every night when I hear Mr. Potter tell George Bailey that he’s worth more dead than alive, I hear that oncologist. Thankfully every time I hear Clariece tell George that no one is worth more dead than alive I hear the voices of my Core Four.
George Bailey gave so much to so many. His physical pain/loss did not stop him. His dreams changed and evolved without him being totally aware. He lamented the changes until he hit rock bottom and truly saw what mattered most in his life. People. Helping others. As his family, friends and townspeople come in to save the day George has no trouble hearing them. He had accepted that his life truly was wonderful even though it was different than he ever planned.
Each night I am reminded to listen to the voices of those I love, especially when it counteracts the voices in my mind, to have faith and to be thankful. Dreams do come true if not always the way we imagined.
The Time that is Given 