Unabashed Sentimentality: A Hit!

For One More Day

I don’t read much. And, as you all know by now, I don’t watch much TV.

Tonight, at my mother’s suggestion, I watched the “TV Movie” version of Mitch Albom’s “For One More Day” with Michael Imperioli and Ellen Burstyn.

“The Love of My Lives” turned me onto Mitch Albom, indirectly. He’d read “Tuesday’s With Morrie.” It came up in conversation one day. I’ve yet to read it. And then, my cousin, Amy, recommended “The Five People You Meet In Heaven”. I was hooked.

First, since I don’t read that much or watch that much television, perhaps I’m jaded, BUT the TV movie adaptation amazingly captured what I saw in my head when I read the book. I don’t think I’ve ever had that experience before.

Perspective

I read “For One More Day” – when I read most books – while flying 35,000 miles above the earth, (BTW, I thought the “35,000 Mile High Club” was a Book Club – another reason I’m still single, BUT – aeronautically – I’m still relatively well-read!).

(I read it on my trip to Mesa, AZ, for “THE Interview” for the “Director” position I did not get, BUT somehow resulted in the same compensation for a job entitled: “Manager, Project Management.” Ultimately, I think this means if I get laid off I won’t be eligible for as an attractive severance package. Whatever!!)

Well, I just stumbled onto reviews of the movie (from a “Google” search – “Surprise! Surprise!”) from a San Jose News Wire called “Mercury News” and “The New York Daily News,” etc., etc., etc. and they’re pandering to the production’s obvious sentimental bent.

I guess, as a culture, we’ve become so comfortable, smug and isolated, that any sincere expression of genuine love and affection within a fractured family unit gets only a ‘nod’ as being, at the very least, ‘sentimental.’

I’m still trying to understand what’s wrong with that word: sentimental. Has our “United States of America” culture become so ‘twisted’ that we can no longer acknowledge true, pure ‘love’ without bashing its face in first?! What’s with that?!

I mean, we’re a country at war with more than one country. We’ re a country lead by a soulless President who’s only created an environment that continually jeopardizes our ‘safety’ by ‘protecting’ us by antagonizing most of the rest of the known world. THAT’S INSANITY!!!

Anyway, I have to suggest that a viewing of “For One More Day” won’t make or break your world, BUT it might make you appreciate – not just your Mom and Dad more – BUT, just might make you appreciate a bunch of other people you may (or may not!) sometimes take for granted.