Well, hey there folks!
A very happy Monday to all of you!
Oh, and in case you aren’t keeping track in your life of how many days it is until Christmas, it is 12.
That’s right…12.
For once though, I feel like I’m done with all my shopping.
That never happens.
Wrapping though…
…Well that is another story.
Anyway, before I move to the official words of this week’s post, I must say that my thoughts and prayers go out to all the individuals who were affected by the crazy storms, tornadoes, and natural weather disasters that occurred this past weekend across the states.
Seeing the pictures of the damage left me speechless and full of sad emotion–I honestly can’t ever imagine going through something like that.
Thoughts, prayers, and love to everyone who continues to navigate the devastation.
I promise this week’s post with be short and sweet, so let’s get to it.
Shall we?
If you are like me at the holiday season, you enjoy Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” the first time it is played on the radio, but after the second, third, fourth, and seventeenth time, I just get sick of it.
Unpopular opinion?
Sorry not sorry.
All I want for Christmas is that song to stop playing every two minutes.
FOR REALS.
Actually, all I want for Christmas is the following:
-Covid cases to go down across the Country
-People to think about the future and the importance of getting vaccinated
-People to stop judging and start listening
-People to LOVE ALL individuals regardless of sexual orientation, skin color, ethnicity, social class
-A strong end to the Miles 4 Smiles year-long campagin
And along with these Christmas wishes, I also share with you some of my favorite holiday movies that I love to watch each year because of the messages and emotions that I feel whilst watching them.
Holiday Movie #1: Elf
-Why does Mr. Sunshine love it so much?
-Not only do I think that this is Will Ferrell’s best movie of all-time, it is one form of entertainment that is impossible not to smile and laugh during and in a world where we are overshadowed by darkness on the daily, movies that are able to bring out these entities are even more important. In addition, Ed Asner plays Santa and his version is my favorite version of all holiday movies. Favorite quote from the movie you ask? “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” Also, total side note–Buddy the Elf is a dream role that I would love to play on the stage someday if the opportunity presented itself to me.
Holiday Movie #2: The Polar Express
-Why does Mr. Sunshine love it so much?
-I mean…Josh Groban sings all the theme songs from it and who doesn’t love that dreamy voice?! In all seriousness though, this story is one that I’ve always loved since my childhood days when I would read the book during Christmas season. And whenever I sit down to watch the movie, I always seem to be transported right along with the kids as they make their way to the North Pole to meet Santa. This movie is only that always makes me believe in the magic of Santa no matter how old I get. And a favorite quote for this one? “At one time most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed, it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I’ve grown old, the bell still rings for me as it does for all who truly believe.”
Holiday Movie #3: A Christmas Carol (The George Scott Version)
-Why does Mr. Sunshine love it so much?
-This is seriously my favorite version of this movie…and if you haven’t seen it yet, go watch it immediately. George C. Scott plays a brilliant Ebenezer Scrooge will all the chilling, brisk personality of someone who dislikes the Christmas holiday. Also, total side note with this version–the Jacob Marley ghost scene still kind of creeps me out. The underscore music that pays during the scene where Marley’s voice says “Scrooge” gives me goosebumps. In fact, it is giving me goosebumps right now. All in all though, the message from this movie is always relevant no matter what the year. What’s next? You guessed it…favorite quote time! “There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited, I dare say,’ returned the nephew. ‘Christmas among the rest. But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round—apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that—as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!”
Holiday Movie #4: Noelle
-Why does Mr. Sunshine love it so much?
-This is a newer movie that my friend Marissa told me about two years ago on that amazing subscription TV app known as Disney+. It stars Anna Kendrick as the daughter of Kris Kringle and how her family has to carry on the tradition of their dad (also known as Santa) when he passes away. Like Elf, it is a movie that I find almost impossible not to smile during when I watch it no matter how many times I watch it. So, do yourself a favor and go find someone with Disney+ so you can enjoy. I promise you won’t regret it. And my favorite quote? “Sometimes all you need is a nice word from a good friend to make you feel good in your boots.”
Well, folks that’s all I’ve got for you this week! While I go to stare at all my unwrapped Christmas presents, I hope that you will go watch one, two, three, or all four of these movies!
I promise they will give you the extra boost of holiday cheer you might be craving to help you get through those tough days of feeling BLAH.
Get vaccinated.
Get boosted.
Sprinkle sunshine aways,
JP!
Mr. Sunshine Smiles 