Home Alone

Brandon and I love this old movie. I remember seeing it in theaters with my family. I really like this scene where Kevin goes into a Cathedral to listen to a Children’s Choir (this is just before all the anticipation regarding the robbers culminates with Kevin’s creative plans for their demise). While he’s there, the elderly and somewhat intimidating neighbor approaches him. He asks Kevin, “been a good boy this year?”
“Yeah.”
“Swear to it?”
“No.”
“Umm, I had a feeling.” Kevin then elaborates on why he doesn’t think he’s been a good boy this year.
“Well this is the place to be if you’re feeling bad about yourself.”
“Are you feeling bad about yourself?” Kevin asks.
The elderly neighbor explains that “years back” he had an argument with his son and that the argument resulted in their alienation from one another. The neighbor and his son hadn’t spoken to each other for some time. Kevin is urged to get home where he belongs. But before Kevin leaves, he invites the neighbor to reconcile things with his son. Nothing more is said about it, but at the end of the movie, Kevin looks out his front window and sees his neighbor outside in a beautiful snowfall hugging his son and his son’s young family. The neighbor waves to Kevin who waves back. I love the holidays and the renewal they offer. Thanksgiving, because it is a time for prayer and gratitude which creates attitudes of humility and forgiveness. Christmastime, because Christ’s birth gives hope to everyone in the world that we can rise above our petty and selfish nature and embrace the love and grace that He offers. And New Year’s, because I think that New Years’ Resolutions are so timely; after we have humbled ourselves in thanksgiving and accepted God’s gift of His perfect Son, then we can put our hope into action by resolving to be a little better or “stand a little taller” in whatever way we can. And I feel like this movie, in a crazy way, expresses forgiveness and love toward the people that really matter-family.