Gone with the Wind

What is it about us modern Americans that we must know the outcome of everything right now?  We fail to see the value in the journey. What might happen – what could happen.  The mystery and intrigue of the adventure tempts us no longer. Its what you could say… gone with the wind.

Exercising thoughtful planning and wise maneuvers seems unattainable to our otherwise focused brains.

Indiana Jones jumps to mind. Now, that’s my dream of adventure. My husband fails to see the reason behind my obsession in these classic adventure flicks. I don’t understand it really; I just know it sparks something within me.

Several years ago some of the “off” stations ran a very exciting missions oriented show. The title eludes me, but it was something like Radical Missions. It was Christian based, and followed the journeys of two twenty-something missionaries as they foraged the jungles of Africa, Brazil, and other such exotic places in search of an isolate tribe in need of the gospel.

My heart of hearts yearned to be a part of their quest into the unknown. Searching, praying, and then finding the forgotten people. Sharing the rich inheritance of God’s chosen, thereby planting a seed that would be watered by succeeding groups until at last… a conversion. Woo Hoo!

Granted these types of lifestyle patterns require patience and, yes, sometimes longsuffering… and, dare I say, sacrifice. Yet, I would be amiss not to mention the most important element we continue to jilt ourselves of – reward!

The concept of hard work reaping a reward has long been deleted from the pages of Vogue. But maybe, just maybe it could soon make a comeback.

Some of you are saying, “Hey! Wait a minute! I work hard.” And I wholeheartedly agree. Yet, I have to personally admit that my idea of working hard falls just short of my grandparent’s philosophy on the subject.

How I’m going to tie this all into my latest interest is a mystery even to me. But let me try it a whirl.

My husband informed me of an upcoming special on PBS in which he felt sure I would be highly interested. Margaret Mitchell’s 75^th anniversary of her book Gone with the Wind. It will air June 30^th, and will include adaptations of her life story.

As I devoured all the details of the upcoming event – benefit gala at the Georgia Terrace and a Margaret Mitchell Tour, I was reminded of the years of hard work put into her one and only manuscript. Yep, she sure reaped the reward - the book has sold over thirty million copies to date and continues to be a great American classic. Refreshingly, she used her success to fund many great charities.

The information on the website gave me a sense of pride in our state and the city of Atlanta, but I also took note of the story. Even though Mitchell portrayed African Americans in an undesirable light, it was real. It was not meant to degrade but to provide a springboard for change. She later funded the education for Georgia’s first African American doctors.

Then, the long-awaited, red carpet portion of this blog… Rhett and Scarlett. Their tumultuous relationship’s dips and curves, snaking around the ever-adored Ashley Wilkes. Only to culminate into the literary industry’s greatest cliffhanger.

And we all remember the famous, final line in the movie – “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a ___.”

Can you believe it?  We rose from our theatre seats, laid down the book and walked away fulfilled.

We did not have need of a complete resolution to their relationship. We were satisfied to give full license to our imaginations. We ended it the way we so chose. No one needed to make that decision for us. Wow!

Just my musings…

Until Next Time,

Love and Blessings, Laura K.