Flipped

The calendar "flipping" to a new year prompts thoughts of reform and resolution. Somewhat in that vein I watched the recent film "Flipped," which you can get at the library. It's quite a nice story about how a teen-age boy and girl and their families struggle to overcome their prejudices about each other, and how love is born when that struggle succeeds. (The trailer is here.)

The transformative power of love was also made clear in the first episode of the Waltons that I watched recently. The family welcomed a young deaf girl who was left at their home (unbeknownst to the Waltons) by the girl's mother in order to prevent the girl's father from taking her to the county orphanage. He was unaware of her deafness and thought she was retarded. The Walton family, after extending hospitality to her, took her to the doctor and learned of her deafness. The doctor explained how they could learn to communicate with her through sign language. When they did the Waltons found out she was a delightful and smart little girl. When the knowledge was communicated to the girl's father, he was no longer in the dark about his child's capacities, and took her back with love.

The transformative power of love! How appropriate for the Feast of the Holy Family to be celebrated soon. Let us in 2012 resolve to walk the walk of love. It is a challenging walk because it requires that we face ourselves and our prejudices, ask for forgiveness, and put others before ourselves. But resolving to make that "flip" as the year turns promises blessings of happier families, friends, and world. Happy New Year!

Listen to Foreigner's "I Want to Know What Love Is."

Listen to Starship's "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now."

Listen to Wilson Phillips, "Hold On"