It's a wonderful life?

It's a wonderful life is a Christmas tradition that just snuck up on me. It's always on network tv right around Christmas and by now I've seen it so many times that I don't think anybody has to watch the whole thing. I can't say when I last watched it from start to finish. I thought last year, but C doubts it. I seem to recall a couple Christmas Eve's curled up on the couch with the faux-fire going and George Bailey trying to get it all figured out. I think I tuned out before I finished those up. I might not have watched It's a wonderful life all the way through since I watched it on KSHB TV-41. That's been a while.

Why tonight? The presents are packed around the tree. I've been here all day, all week, all month, trying to get it figured out. I don't have George's worries, but there's a heaviness, a sense that I need to get out in the world. All that called to me, so I watched. The broadcast was packed with commercials which is pretty funny when I think about it. Aren't commercials pushing Potter's vision?

I sat through it all and it got to me. There was George at 27 being offered a job by Potter. I could see the dollar signs in his eyes before his principles seized him again and he walked out. There was George with a family and the stress of losing all that money. I felt for the guy. I related in a way I've never really related before. Life is piling up moment after moment and plans get moved and forgotten.

So when George had his epiphany, I teared up. I wasn't ready to let go and cry, but I wasn't too far from it. The people matter and it's time to be with the people.

2014 is coming. There's things to be thankful for and things to be done.

It's a wonderful life.