It's a Wonderful LifeSidetracked Sisters

“You’ve been given a great gift, George, a chance to see what the world would be like without you.”

This is what the guardian angel, Clarence, says after revealing an alternative reality to George.

I love movies that give a glimpse into how our choices (or in the case of this great Christmas movie) and our very existence change the future for ourselves and others who we touch.

In “It’s a Wonderful Life”, George seemingly has several struggles, tragedies, and problems throughout the years. But as we see in the movie, life would be more challenging, drearier, and much less pleasant if George had never been born.

I also love the idea in the movie of falling in love with an old abandoned “drafty old house” that they buy and fix up to create a home for their young family.

In the beginning, George wants to throw rocks at the remnants of windows–your wish comes true if you break any glass…But Mary says, “No George, I love that old house.”

Old houses make me feel solid and centered. Ahhhh, such a feel-good movie.

Then, there is of course the line at the end when Zuzu says, “Teacher says, every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.” It doesn’t actually make me think of angels in general…but Clarance, specifically. He’s an angel, 2nd class, who isn’t the brightest bulb on the tree. But the lesson is, that a good heart and loving intentions more than make up for fancy tricks and smarts when it comes to life, friendship, and helping someone in need.

I don’t watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” multiple times a season. I just watch it once a year and it makes me feel like Christmas.

Happy. Blessed. Grateful.

It’s a wonderful life.