It's that time of year

Oh it's that time of year again.

When I get all excited for a nice night in, wearing comfy clothes, a huge mug of hot chocolate in hand, curled up on the couch by candle light watching my all time favourite 'Christmas movie'. 

I am not sure it would be considered a Christmas movie per say, but they do always air it around the end of November. 

I guess I could blame my aunt for this one. She started a lot of my movie habits. :)

'Little Women' has held a dear place in my heart since I was young, and now it just doesn't seem like Christmas without having it as a part of my December.

Just before I crossed the pond I had the joy of going over to my aunts for one of our sleepover movie weekends. Her daughter-in-law was able to join us and her oldest granddaughter was able to steal away from her busy life as well. We decided upon 'Little Women' to my delight. I would not be deprived of watching it this year! You have to understand, I have seen this movie countless times. I can almost recite it all as it goes along. (Which most do find annoying, sorry! haha) 

This time however, it spoke to me in a way it had not in the past. I identified with the character of Jo March in a way I had never done before. And so I will share the dialogue between Jo and her mother as they discuss Jo's frustration with her life, because so much of what she said was what was going on in my head (with the exception of the marriage proposal, of course... haha) as I was making my decision to come to England.

Jo March: Well, of course Aunt March prefers Amy over me. Why shouldn't she? I'm ugly and awkward and I always say the wrong things. I fly around throwing away perfectly good marriage proposals. I love our home, but I'm just so fitful and I can't stand being here! I'm sorry, I'm sorry Marmee. There's just something really wrong with me. I want to change, but I - I can't. And I just know I'll never fit in anywhere.

Marmee March: Oh, Jo. Jo, you have so many extraordinary gifts; how can you expect to lead an ordinary life? You're ready to go out and - and find a good use for your talent. Tho' I don't know what I shall do without my Jo. Go, and embrace your liberty. And see what wonderful things come of it. 

Jo's adventure took her to New York. A place that was unknown, unfamiliar, in almost every way. But by taking the step she met people that would help form her into the young woman she was to become. She engaged in conversation with people whose lives journey were vastly different from her own. And in these new found friends, she discovered the gift of differences; education, literature, conversation topics and friendly debates. She was enriched by them, and this gift of new experience came by spreading her wings and jumping from the nest that had been so comfortable and familiar

I love how her mother, said "You're ready to go out and - and find a good use for your talent" 

I think we are all searching for what our role is in this life, using what God has gifted us in, and equipped us with. And sometimes it comes by allowing yourself to be separated by those who love you and want the best for you, but sometimes place expectations on you that feel like a burden to bear, and bring about discontentment. 

But in Jo's heart, home always remained. And nothing could ever come in and replace it, or take it away. It would always be a part of her, beckoning to her for whenever the time came to return, if ever her heart should desire.

Home. It will always be an option. I love that we are able to gain so much by separating ourselves from it and forcing ourselves out of our comfort zone.  And upon returning we are just a better version of ourselves, with new found interests, experiences, lessons learned, adventures had, and friends made, and now stories to share.