Bad movie, good movie

Class got done early today, so I was able to enjoy a low-key afternoon and evening. I walked on the beach and the pier, watched the seals for awhile, took some pictures, and got my dinner from Avila Grocery. Back at the room, I settled in with my sandwich, prepped for class, and got a chance to watch a couple of movies.

First was P.S. I Love You, with Hilary Swank.... it was honestly quite bad. I really enjoyed her in Million Dollar Baby, but this movie was slow, sad, and rather odd.

Second movie was Anywhere But Here, one of my favorites, with Susan Sarandon and Natalie Portman. This is a movie that they got right. They got it right enough that when I watch it, I always feel a little guilty when I recognize the resemblance between Sarandon's character and myself. She's a bit crazy, single mother, and can't stand being in her small town anymore. She has big dreams and limited possibilities. The power gets shut off occasionally and when totally depressed, she and her teenage daughter get ice cream. Her ex left when the daughter (Portman) was very young.

I was, probably still am, that crazy mother. I believed fiercely in my dreams and packed up my girls to find "a new life". I remember a few blips in our electricity and cable. But what strikes me most is that no matter the disagreements and struggles, Sarandon captures the absolute love and unwavering adoration of her daughter. Despite hurts on both sides, all they have is each other. I have regrets that I wasn't a better mother, that I perhaps didn't set a good example, but you know what, I loved my girls from the moment I felt them move and that love has only grown over the years. Yeah, our life might have been a little unconventional, may have lacked some of the material things in life, but it did not lack love. And hey, that touch of craziness just made our life more interesting, right?

Even if they are on the verge of being adults themselves and think they are big, I know the truth: they will always be my babies.