GROUNDHOG DAY, The Movie

I remember the childhood verse about the days of the week. Didn't it say that Wednesday's child was full of woe? Well, Wednesdays are certainly woeful for me now. It's been three weeks ago that we lost our crazy, little dog, Roy. I miss him so much. I hope he has found someone in heaven to carry him around all the time, or another little dog to play with and run around like he and Riff did.

To be truthful, I've not felt like blogging, but for years now I've wanted to give my friends a heads up about the movie, Groundhog Day, so that's what I'm going to do. It was always one of my favorite movies. At first, I simply appreciated it for it's humor and touching love story between Bill Murray and Andy McDowell. Buy later, I began to watch it and realize that it is so much more than a funny and sweet romantic comedy...it is the story of how living our lives according to Jesus' teachings can change us not only for the better, but can impact the world around us as well.

If you've seen the movie, you know the main character, Phil, is a really cynical and beaten down by the world jerk of a guy, who happens to be a small town weatherman. It is his assignment to go with his cameraman and first time lady producer to Ponxatuny, Pennsylvania to report on the Groundhog Day Festivities, and most importantly, the prediction of the "man, rather critter, of the hour", Punxatuny Phil. Poor weatherman Phil is so bored with it all and so unhappy to be doing such a lame story, he simply brushes by everyone as he uses as little effort as possible to get through the entire ordeal and be outa there as soon as possible. Unbeknownst, however, to weatherman Phil, a blizzard is bearing down upon the little town, and he's unexpectedly stuck there for the night. Hoping to get out of there as soon as possible, he awakes the next morning in his little bed and breakfast room, only to realize that he is reliving Groundhog Day again.

I hope you've seen this movie, I catch it playing all the time. I used to have a copy of it. It is absolutely priceless how Phil handles the revelation that he is actually going to have to live this same, terrible day over and over and over again. His attempts to make it bearable are so typical of what we do with our own lives to find meaning or happiness or whatever it is that we think we are looking for. First Phil decides that since he knows everything that happens, he will get rich by stealing money and he will at least be happy because he'll be able to buy fulfillment. He also tries going into the local cafe and orders all his favorite foods to see if that will bring him happiness. And, yes, he decides to trick some of the local girls into having sex with him, thinking this will fulfill the emptiness he's feeling as he relives this day.

When Phil finally realizes that neither money, food nor sex bring him happiness as he relives each day, he decides he might as well end it all. He attempts suicide in many different ways, the funniest is driving over a cliff with the actual groundhog. But, even though it appears that he's ended his life, he awakes after each failed attempt to realize he is trapped in this same day and same place again and again and again.

Finally, Phil decides to take the focus off of himself and starts actually noticing those around him. He actually begins to help the people of this little town during this day that repeats for him over and over. He saves a little boy that falls from a tree, he changes the tire of some elderly ladies who have a flat and most heartfelt, he tries unsuccessfully to save a homeless man's life who dies on the street. Because Phil had been so callous and unfeeling, it is really heartwarming to see him learn to like, enjoy and finally love the people of this little Pennsylvania town. And because he is feeling better as each Groundhog Day rolls into the next, he even begins to feel better about himself and begins taking piano lessons to use a talent that God had apparently given him.

By the time Phil is spending his last Groundhog Day, he is the absolute hero of the whole town. He knows and is friends with everyone in the town, he is able to not only help aid his new neighbors and friends, but he can also entertain them with his newfound piano expertise. He is fulfilled and loved and apparently is fulfilling and loving to all around him. It didn't take money or meeting all his selfish needs, it took looking around and meeting the needs of others. When Phil finally understands the way to true happiness is loving and serving others, voila, he awakes the following morning to the day after Groundhog Day and continues his life with a fresh new perspective.

My hope is that we can all learn from Phil. More importantly let us learn the example of our loving savior, Jesus Christ, who came to earth from his heavenly home to show us by His example how to love and serve others.

Since I've been typing, I've actually been able to hear little doggies tummies' growling, so I best get going. I believe that today is going to be beautiful. I actually was able to hang clothes out yesterday and saw daffodils, tulips and hyacinths coming up in my garden. I am so looking forward to an early Spring, how about it, Mr. Groundhog. Have a great day, luv, Susan ps I was not at all surprised when my friend, Marla Owens, told me at a lunch back in Henderson that Groundhog Day had been one of her son, Ryan's favorite movies.