"Our lives are defined by opportunities, even the ones we miss."

"Along the way you bump into people who make a dent on your life. Some people get struck by lightning. Some are born to sit by a river. Some have an ear for music. Some are artists. Some swim the English Channel. Some know buttons. Some know Shakespeare. Some are mothers. And some people can dance. "
- - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

I really just want to fill this blog with quotes from the movie I just saw...but I will try to actually write a bit as well.

Tonight I saw "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". I have been asking people to go and see that movie with me ever since it came out and finally tonight I saw it. Not only was it a beautiful film (great costumes, makeup, script, and acting) but it was thought provoking (sorry to my friend Colin who's exact words were 'i hate movies like this because they make you think and shit').

What do you do with the time you are given?
What would you do if you were forced to watch everyone in your life die around you?
Would it be worth it to experience live in reverse?

When Benjamin was asked what it was like to age in reverse he said:

"I'm always lookin' out my own eyes."

Meaning we only ever truly experience our own stories. You can never know what it's like to walk in someone elses shoes. And you can try your best to explain something...but you never really can. And therefore you can never really belittle someones expereinces or condescend to understand them. What you really need to do is listen. Be a friend. Or a lover. Just be there. Because the closest that you can come to understanding is knowing that you never will.

A few other things occoured to me as well while watching this movie.

• The concept of time...time being lost (or gained). How we treat the time that is given to us. Do you take it for granted? Or try to make the most out of every single second? Most of the people that I know are somewhere in the middle of that. You make some days special. Whether it has special meaning (birthdays, anniversarys etc) or you just arbitrarily choose them (a sunday where you decided to go skydiving or tell someone you love them)...either way...I think there should be more of those days. More days that are lived to their fullest potential, more days that you will remember, more days that will change and improve you as a person, more days that will change and improve the world.
• "It's a funny thing about comin' home. Looks the same, smells the same, feels the same. You'll realize what's changed is you. " I find this very true but so sad to consider that I'm not even sure I can elaborate. I desperatley wish that every time I went home it was just the same as when I left but I know it won't be. I know it can't be that way forever. I just wish. wish. wish. Appreciate your home and the fact that you're always welcome there.
• "Benjamin, we're meant to lose the people we love. How else would we know how important they are to us?" I am not sure that I would have understood this if I had not recently lost someone close to me. It is so true that once someone is gone from your life you realize what a huge impact they made on it. Things you took for granted. Stories you'd heard a million times. Things they did that bugged you. Things they did that made you smile. All of that is gone. The good and the bad. Did you ever think of it that way?
• "Everyone feels different about themselves one way or another, but we all goin' the same way." Not only was this an incredibly tender moment in the film but it is also a statement that rings with such truth. It is a statement that unifies us all. Black, white, young, old, here and gone....everyone feels differently about themselves but we are all, ultimately going to the same place...where ever that may be. Doesn't that give you a feeling that we're all on the same side?
• "Daisy: Will you sleep with me?" "Benjamin: Absolutley." All I have to say is...I wish it was that easy.

Oh, and one more thing....did you know that I was struck by lightening 7 times?

Goodnight Benjamin. Goodnight Daisy.

Goodnight kids.