If My Life Was a Hallmark Movie

Sometimes, I wish my life was a Hallmark movie. No problems would exist. In “Hallmark Land” everything is practically perfect.

The scenery is breathtaking. Lush vineyards. Quaint mountain towns sparkling with sunshine or snowflakes. Exciting cities alive with lights and events. Quickly, the viewer floats into picturesque escapism.

Hallmark’s trademark celebrates all holidays. Magical movies with breathtaking seasonal splendor. Nothing says Hallmark like a majestic alpine lodge ensconced like a snow globe by vintage decorations.

Don’t forget the romance! There won’t be any disagreements over politics. Not on these shows. Inevitably, any “PG-rated” conflicts are resolved in the closing minutes. Glimmering stars align to shine down on the loving couple. Yes, love is the always the answer. As a romantic idealist, I want this kind of flawless idyllic life.

Stop! My life is not a Hallmark Movie. I live in the real world. Our country appears darkened by hopeless evil. Hatred and violence constantly shock my reality. It is an ongoing battle to not give into a despairing mindset.

But… wait. That’s why I am sharing this humorous reflection. We need some laughter. Our existence can’t always be sad. A merry-hearted perspective is an antidote for these volatile times. I don’t really want my life to be a Hallmark movie; still, I enjoy the entertainment.

However, please don’t think I am being glib. We all grieve over the accelerating tragedies in our country. Everyone is on alert. Uncertain danger lurks behind the scenes of any “normal day.” Collectively, we face battles.

One of my most frightening experiences occurred two years ago on Portland’s mass transportation-- the “MAX (Metropolitan Area Express) Light Rail” system. Extremely tired, I took a seat and grabbed my phone. Loud cursing assaulted my ears. Unfortunately, I wasn’t observant.

When I did glance around, I saw an angry man pointing a knife at me. “You hear me, *****, you ****,” he raged. Fellow passengers looked down. No one to help. Suddenly, I remembered my pepper spray. My type “AAA mind” roared in panic: “Take quick action now!”

Then, I felt an odd calmness. I knew a peaceful response was safer. “Sorry, I can’t hear on my left side. A brain surgery left me without hearing in that ear,” I told my accoster, softly. “You heard me, you lying *****,” he screamed back. Aggressively, he lunged in front of me with his large knife. I prayed

Without warning he stepped back into the doorway of the MAX. Holding up his knife, he shrieked at me before leaving. Shaking with fear, I was extremely thankful. (Later, tragedy did strike on that MAX. Two men were fatally stabbed and another man critically injured when they tried to defend two teenage girls. It was a horrendous homicide scene.)

As an aside, I believe we should trust our intuitive voice. Once, I pulled into a rural gas station where a man stood in the doorway. “A bad mojo”—the warning of an evil, immediately hit my gut. Instinctively, I parked far away. After he left, I went in.

My discernment had protected me. A week later, this same perpetrator attacked in Ennis, Montana. One person was killed. Six others seriously injured. He hunted them as they hid behind cars after a bar closed. My heart mourns for those victims. Yet, I celebrate the town slogan Ennis adopted: “Love Always Wins.”

It’s true. Pain and devastation are our new reality. But we can compensate for hurt with love.

How do I know this? Because I start crying whenever I witness unselfish, pure love. Children helping each other. Someone holding a door open. These actions cause “happy tears.” They cleanse my heart. Hope returns.

So, where do we go from here? Is there a practical way to help us love others? Yes! It is a mindset. As George H. W. Bush said to one of his grandsons: “God is good, but His love has a cost; we must be good to each other.” Bush knew strife shouldn’t control us. Not ever. We can choose to be nice.

Although, a utopia is impossible, “Hallmark moments” do happen with kindness. As Maya Angelou wrote: “People might forget what you said; but they will never forget how you made them feel.” Just by smiling at others, we can add value to their lives.

In 1791, John Wesley, a minister, offered his “rule of life” to help us show compassion through God’s love. He wrote: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, for as long as ever you can.” In 2019, we emulate Wesley by overcoming the tumultuous evil of our days with goodness.

A ubiquitous, devastating malevolence exists our world. But the empathy of God’s love counters our dysphoria which symptoms include: “… a state of feeling unhappy/uneasy due to life’s difficulties, bad moods or responses to tragedies in the news.”

I am excited to hold the most powerful force of the world in my heart: God’s love “which never fails.” (I Corinthians 13:8.) While Hallmark movies symbolize “romantic love;” love, itself is really the answer for our times. We can change our everything by:

our decision…

to show love to others…

in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho.