Happy last Monday of November, folks!
By this time, I’m hoping that all of the turkey, mashed potato, and cranberry sauce leftovers have been consumed and enjoyed and that the post-feat naps have been completed.
I also hope that you were able to take a few moments to make sure that the thankful part of Thanksgiving came first.
For me, I enjoyed lots of delicious food that included multiples slices of cranberry sauce, homemade mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie covered in whipped cream.
This was quickly followed by a nap in the recliner while NOT watching football.
More importantly, I got to enjoy time with my family and relish in decorating the Welliver household Christmas tree–my favorite Thanksgiving evening tradition.
This year, I enjoyed being able to pick up Mackenzie to have her place a few ornaments on the branches of the tree while everyone else was on “Keep Ellie away from pulling off the lights” duty.
The true joy that you see in their eyes and huge smiles when they see the lights on the tree is priceless.
I guess it’s time to get on with this week’s post before I go off on a tangent and forgot about what words I want to share this week.
Two years ago, I was recovering from a trip to the ER where I was diagnosed with a corneal ulcer on my pupil. It sounds painful. And it was. I had never been in so much pain before in my life.
During the days of recovery after that experience, I remember laying on the couch and putting on Netflix.
On my “Suggested for JP” homepage was the movie, Klaus. According to the brilliant Netflix algorithm, it was a 97% match for me.
The pain and exhaustion from my eye injury was just too much and in true JP fashion when I am tired, warm, and wrapped in a blanket on the couch, I fall asleep.
Needless to say, I don’t remember anything about the movie and had not given myself time to actually sit down and watch.
Until this past Thanksgiving evening.
And boy, am I glad that I did.
So.
Many.
Emotions.
My heart and soul were touched in all the right spots with laughter, tears, and the warm fuzzy feeling that only extremely well-done movies can do.
I don’t want to give much away since I want everyone to watch, so I have included the synopsis below courtesy of IMDB:
“When Jesper (Jason Schwartzman) distinguishes himself as the postal academy’s worst student, he is stationed on a frozen island above the Arctic Circle, where the feuding locals hardly exchange words let alone letters. Jesper is about to give up when he finds an ally in local teacher Alva (Rashida Jones), and discovers Klaus (Oscar® winner J.K. Simmons), a mysterious carpenter who lives alone in a cabin full of handmade toys. These unlikely friendships return laughter to Smeerensburg, forging a new legacy of generous neighbors, magical lore and stockings hung by the chimney with care. An animated Christmas comedy directed by Despicable Me co-creator Sergio Pablos, KLAUS co-stars Rashida Jones, Jason Schwartzman and JK Simmons.”
During the movie, as I was sitting on the recliner, there were so many moments where I thought about the state of our current world.
People fighting against each and becoming so stuck in “their way being right” that they forget what a true act of kindness can do.
And the best quote from the entire movie (which is only one hour and forty minutes) you ask?
“A true selfless act always sparks another.”
PURE.
GOLD.
Honestly, I want every single one of you reading these words to check out this movie.
For a movie that was made in 2019, it is still incredibly timely to the current times we are experiencing.
As I sit here all comfy and cozy in my blanket, I can’t help but think how much more positive of a place our world could be if everyone took a few moments to engage in an act of goodwill and kindness.
So, as we enter the December holiday season, here is your very simple list of tasks to accomplish:
To Do List:
1. Watch Klaus on Netflix
2. Perform an act of goodwill/kindness
Sprinkle sunshine always,
JP!
Mr. Sunshine Smiles 