On the Thursday prior to Easter, I went to see the play, Jesus Christ, Super Star, at the Palace Theater in Greensburg, PA. Although this amazing representation of Christ's love of mankind had been around in film and on stage for decades, I'd never been privileged to see it.
What struck me most was how Christ was realistically portrayed. He wasn't this meek fellow that simply accepted his fate without question. He riled against Roman paganism, threatened the leaders with death unless they changed their ways, and fiercely fought against the agonizing torture and cruel slaughter that awaited Him. He begged His Father to release Him from the dictations of Scripture up until the last moments of His earthly existence. Although Christ was the Son of God, He was truly human as well. I think for the first time in my life I understood exactly what being human meant as far as Jesus was concerned.
I've attended Holy Week services for over sixty years, but never once did I actually realize more of what Christ went through on my behalf until I witnessed it on stage that night.. His unyielding efforts to reverse Roman beliefs, His struggles to deal with the infidelities of His apostles, His excruciating internal battles to accept what He was destined to endure, His fear and despondency over His Father's expectations, and His horrible punishment and inhumane treatment left me heartbroken. This two hour portrayal was the most impactful service I'd ever attended throughout my entire life!
Roma Downey and hubby, Mark Burnett, produced a twelve week series, A.D. the Bible Continues, which began airing on Easter night. Roma, as you may remember, was the star of Touched By An Angel, and Mark is the producer of both Survivor and Shark Tank. Roma is a devout Catholic, Mark, a devoted Christian.
After being profoundly moved by Jesus Christ, Super Star, I was compelled to watch from the beginning. Although the first show was a reiteration of the events leading up to Calvary, and the Crucifixion itself, I'm eagerly looking forward to the next eleven episodes. I want to know more details about the days following the Resurrection, and what happened to Christ's apostles over time. I want to experience the countless attempts to crush Christianity, and most importantly, I want to take pride in the tenacity and stubbornness of the men and women who refused to be denied.
Even at seventy there is much to be learned if only a person is willing to be taught!
Happy Easter!
Monday, April 6, 2015
Monday, March 30, 2015
LIFE, NEW and RENEWED by Flo Barnett
I think the story of my own birth is a good way to begin a discussion on new life. I was born in Baba's house on a September Saturday in 1944. It was suppertime, and my Mom couldn't wait for her favorite meal, steak smothered in onions, and mashed potatoes drenched in butter. Unfortunately her water broke and sent her into labor,denying her the pleasure of actually eating the dinner she'd looked forward to all day. Instead she retreated to her upstairs bedroom and waited for Dr. Stimetz to arrive. Since the good doctor lived next door, she was by my mother's side in minutes. As Mom pushed, and the rest of the family nervously waited in the hallway, eventually I entered the world, kicking and screaming, or so I'd been told over and over again while growing up.
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| PASKA http://tinyurl.com/ke3fzrl |
After thoroughly examining the newly-born babe, Dr. Stimetz handed me over to Baba to be cleaned and clothed. As my grandmother whisked me down the stairs and into her kitchen, she secretly rejoiced over the fact that I was a girl. Again, I know this because over the course of many years, she mentioned it at least a million times. Baba filled her huge mixing bowl with warm water, and carefully placed me inside its white walls. This was the same bowl she used every Easter when making the dough for Paska, the special Slovak bread we enjoyed only once a year during the holy season of the Resurrection. As she gently washed the afterbirth from my tiny body, Baba noticed that I appeared to be struggling to breathe. She placed me in a soft towel, dried me, and then rubbed a dollop of Vicks salve under my nose. However, because of the powerful strength of the vapors, instead of alleviating the congestion, I turned blue and stopped breathing altogether. To have this precious new life for such a short time was something my Baba refused to accept. Quickly she began CPR. Within seconds, I let out a garbled cry, and voraciously began sucking air into my deprived lungs. When Dr. Stimetz entered the kitchen, she found my Baba clutching me closely to her bosom with tears streaming down her face. In a shaky voice, she told the doctor what she had done. Dr. Stimetz comforted Baba by saying that this infant was destined to do something special since she had been given new life twice in the course of just one day, a rare medical occurrence by any standards. Whatever it was that I was meant to accomplish, I hope I've made at least some strides in fulfilling my purpose. From that life-saving moment on, my Baba and I shared a unique bond that only grew stronger and stronger with every passing year, and will remain alive and well always and forever.
Spring and Easter are favorites of mine perhaps because they arrive together with warm temps, gentle breezes, and soft rains. Both the season and the holiday are symbolic of new and renewed life. Whether coming into the world newborn, or awakening from a winter's sleep, all life is pure and fresh again. There is a joy and lightness of spirit that fills the Earth unlike at any other time of year.
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One important reason I wrote There's A Baby In Mommy's Belly! was to provide parents with an excellent tool to utilize when a son or daughter begins asking questions about an impending birth. The story, which is extremely entertaining, can be taken at face value, or it can be used in a more educational manner. Parents decide what, when, and how much to say depending on the child's maturity level. Even if there isn't a baby in Mommy's belly, children and adults will delight in this fast-paced, funny and factual tale as they read it again and again simply for enjoyment.
Although I'm mostly known for my 'Grammy's Gang' series, I've also written three chapter books for ages 9-99. The 'When We Were Kids' collection is comprised of three books: Playing Hooky, Puppy Love, and Pimples and Periods. These stories take place in the Fifties, 'the good old days' which they are often called, and indeed they were. In general, life was celebrated, nurtured, and supported. The ties that bound all of us were rooted in religious beliefs, values, and ethnicity. Mostly everybody in our neighborhood attended the same church, went to the same school, and practiced the same cultural traditions.
Yet while growing up I can honestly say there were problems in society, but certainly not to the same degree in which they plague today's world. Perhaps our lives were more wholesome because of the family structure during those times. Not only was there a father and mother present, but in many cases such as my own, babas, zedos, uncles, and aunts actually lived in the household and were major factors in the growth and development of the children.
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| http://tinyurl.com/mhfutcp |
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These chapter books were written with tweens and teens in mind, but I've found that many adults, parents, grandparents, and teachers see them as an excellent way to renew a connection with their past. The baby boomers, born during the WWII era, share a special bond with the Kolinski kids, growing up and going through many of the same things that Betty Lou and Danny experienced.
Celebrating new life or life renewed gives eternal hope to all of us. Every baby born has the potential to be the person that brings peace to the world. Every child who is raised with faith,values,and morals has the opportunity to imbue his or her children with the very same ideals. Every teenager who has decided to live a life free of drugs and alcohol has opened the door for his or her peers to do likewise. And every adult who has chosen to be of service to family, friends, and all in need has been instrumental inspiring a renewal of life.
If you'd like to keep in touch and be the recipient of my ethnic recipes, special book offers, and entertaining blog posts both past and present, please sign up for my monthly newsletter:
http://eepurl.com/bfCp6f
Happy Spring, Happy Easter, and Happy Life!
love ya'll
Flo
Amazon Author Page http://tinyurl.com/kbbzmpb
Pinterest: http://tinyurl.com/lvvxhuk
Twitter: http://tinyurl.com/k2am5yq
Monday, March 9, 2015
Will the Real Dr. Phil Please Stand Up?
I've been an avid fan of the Dr. Phil Show since its inception. Originally the three o'clock hour was one of substance and solutions. People with real problems sat on stage and bared their souls in the hopes of Dr. Phil giving them the advice and help they needed to turn their lives around. Both he and I and the millions who've watched him over the years didn't expect miracles, but we believed these courageous sufferers left the show with at least a pocketful of promise.
Fast forward twelve years or so and now all you see is bad-tempered, arrogant lowlifes who see themselves as entitled and unjustly accused. After endless squabbling is allowed to go on, Dr. Phil shakes his head, reminds the participants that it is his show, and then takes a commercial break. When the show resumes, much of the same drivel continues up until the remaining ten minutes. It is then that the good doctor tells his audience he'll 'put some verbs in his sentences' right after the break.
Most of the advise he doles out in today's shows is tied to the Doctors On Demand App he and his son, Jay developed two years ago. He also plugs his new book on weight loss that took ten years to publish, The 20/20 Diet, over and over again to the point of ad nauseum.
Oftentimes during the week, Dr. Phil's wife, Robin, joins him on stage to talk about her When Georgia Smiled campaign, designed to assist battered women and children, and the Aspire App she developed to provide education, vital information, and a speed dial connection at the ready when a women decides to flee. Her efforts in the fight against abuse are commendable, even life-saving, but perhaps Robin could be a guest on the show, giving her message the full hour it deserves, instead of the piece meal appearances that are not nearly as effective.
If it sounds like I'm just trying to tear down the reputation of a celebrity icon respected the world over, I'm sorry because that is not my intention. I would love nothing more that to turn on my T.V. and watch the Dr. Phil Show of yore. I can honestly say that I couldn't wait for three o'clock to come around because I learned so much about how to deal with my own problems and be able to offer a little advice to others in need.
I miss the real Dr. Phil. Will the real Dr. Phil please stand up and do the kind of television we have come to expect of him. Please.
Fast forward twelve years or so and now all you see is bad-tempered, arrogant lowlifes who see themselves as entitled and unjustly accused. After endless squabbling is allowed to go on, Dr. Phil shakes his head, reminds the participants that it is his show, and then takes a commercial break. When the show resumes, much of the same drivel continues up until the remaining ten minutes. It is then that the good doctor tells his audience he'll 'put some verbs in his sentences' right after the break.
Most of the advise he doles out in today's shows is tied to the Doctors On Demand App he and his son, Jay developed two years ago. He also plugs his new book on weight loss that took ten years to publish, The 20/20 Diet, over and over again to the point of ad nauseum.
Oftentimes during the week, Dr. Phil's wife, Robin, joins him on stage to talk about her When Georgia Smiled campaign, designed to assist battered women and children, and the Aspire App she developed to provide education, vital information, and a speed dial connection at the ready when a women decides to flee. Her efforts in the fight against abuse are commendable, even life-saving, but perhaps Robin could be a guest on the show, giving her message the full hour it deserves, instead of the piece meal appearances that are not nearly as effective.
If it sounds like I'm just trying to tear down the reputation of a celebrity icon respected the world over, I'm sorry because that is not my intention. I would love nothing more that to turn on my T.V. and watch the Dr. Phil Show of yore. I can honestly say that I couldn't wait for three o'clock to come around because I learned so much about how to deal with my own problems and be able to offer a little advice to others in need.
I miss the real Dr. Phil. Will the real Dr. Phil please stand up and do the kind of television we have come to expect of him. Please.
Monday, March 2, 2015
Grammy's Mind Matters NEWSFLASH!
Well I've finally done it and I must tell you, it wasn't as easy as you might think. It took me about eight hours non-stop to create it and then another four or so to develop the necessary sign up form. I was so frustrated at one point, I emailed MailChimp and told them their process was so stressful, I was close to canceling my account. Luckily for me, the guys there allowed me to vent, and then gently brought me back to a state of sanity that is normal for me.
SIGNUP FORM FOR Grammy's Mind Matters NEWSFLASH: http://eepurl.com/bfCp6f
SIGNUP FORM FOR Grammy's Mind Matters NEWSFLASH: http://eepurl.com/bfCp6f
So what is it that I've done, and what is it that led me to the brink of sheer madness? A monthly newsletter to inform and entertain you, that's what! Grammy's Mind Matters NEWSFLASH, which debuted on February 28th, in my opinion, is a delightful compilation of ethnic recipes, special book offers, and my blog posts, past and present, that you've read and enjoyed since I started in 2012. I'm very proud of it, and hope you will subscribe and follow it from month to month. I promise you won't be disappointed.
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| https://www.pinterest.com /flogrammysgang/breads-biscuits- donuts-muffins-rolls/ |
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| http://www.amazon.com/ Puppy-Love-When-Were-Kids- ebook/dp/B00KMWIKO4/ref =la_B008DF4EE2_1_8_ title_ 0_mains=books&ie=UTF8 &qid=1425314226&sr=1-8 |
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| http://www.amazon.com/Dirty -Face-Liam-Grammys-Gang-ebook /dp/B008TW134I/ref=la_B0 08DF4EE2_1_2_title_1_ kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid =1426010575&sr=1-2 |
'SMARTEST, BESTEST PERSON IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD' is the blog post that rounds out the first edition of NEWSFLASH. I wrote it on January 6, 2014. My grandson, Liam, was trying to tell his mom about the Magi, and what gifts they brought the New Born King. He knew one of them started like 'Frank' but couldn't remember the exact word. My daughter suggested he call Papap, my hubby, since according to her he knew everything pertaining to religion. Do you think you know who the smartest, bestest person is? Well return to that blog post and find out. You might be surprised. 'Dirty Face Liam' is also 0.99.
http://grammysgangbooks.blogspot.com/2014/01/smartest-bestest- person-in-whole-wide.html
Let me just say that Grammy always has something on her mind, AND IT MATTERS!
Let me just say that Grammy always has something on her mind, AND IT MATTERS!
Monday, February 23, 2015
Hidden Disabilities
From the time couples discover they're pregnant, they worry about whether or not their child will be normal. During the nine month period, a waiting-to-be mom constantly questions her doctor about the development of the unborn fetus. She gladly subjects herself to various tests designed to detect possible problems. If a serious defect is confirmed, couples oftentimes grapple with the horrible decision to terminate the pregnancy.
Many disabilities are obvious: the blind, the deaf and dumb, the amputees, the mentally-challenged, the wheelchair bound, the tremor-stricken. The outward appearances along with acompanying odd behaviors send out explicit signals that translate into abnormalities. These folks, no matter how hard they might try, cannot hide the fact that they're different. Whether born with one, or suffer some known or unknown factor that causes one isn't of importance. In our society, when you look or behave outside the norm, you're damaged goods.
Yet there are many people whose disabilities are hidden not only from others, but from themselves as well. I think I can best illustrate this fact through example.
A ten-year-old boy confined to a wheelchair takes his basketball to school everyday. At recess he practices shooting on the asphalt court marked off precisely for that purpose. When he misses the hoop, and the ball rolls away from him, he calls out to his classmates for a little help. At first everybody pretends not to hear him. Finally as his voice grows louder, one of the boys tells him to get it himself. Another one kicks it even farther away. Seeing that his efforts are in vain, the boy wheels passed the group and retrieves the ball. On his way back to the court, he asks several kids to join him, but all refuse his invitation. When the recess bell sounds, the fifth graders dash to be first in line, every one except the boy in the wheelchair. Obviously he can't compete with his able-bodied counterparts, so he must accept his inferiority without complaint.
Why would his classmates act in such an ignorant, heartless manner towards a boy who is only trying to fit in? Perhaps their disabilities are far more severe but hidden from view. Pretending not to hear a call for help is a form of denial, not acknowledging the request means the request wasn't made at all. Kicking the ball farther away suggests a fear of transference. If the kid picks up the ball, in his mind he is subjecting himself to possibly contracting the very disease that robbed the disabled boy of his mobility. And by not accepting an invitation to join in a shoot-around reflects the boy's fear of what the group would think and do, They might decide to label him as abnormal, and shun him for his interaction with the wheelchair-bound boy. Peer pressure is the strongest contributor to these hidden disabilities that plague our children today.
Yes, physical and mental disabilities are obvious, but they are lived with, overcome, and many times used to advance one's status in life. The boy in the wheelchair has accepted his fate, he's refused to let his shortcomings stop him from reaching for the stars, and I'm sure, as an adult he will become a remarkable man who will make a difference in the lives of many, even of those who labeled and shunned him in childhood.
But most of those who are afflicted with hidden disabilites, will never overcome them because what you don't acknowledge, you can't change. And unfortunately for them, their inability to understand their shortcomings will inhibit them from reaching for the stars, and limit their advancement as adults.
Many disabilities are obvious: the blind, the deaf and dumb, the amputees, the mentally-challenged, the wheelchair bound, the tremor-stricken. The outward appearances along with acompanying odd behaviors send out explicit signals that translate into abnormalities. These folks, no matter how hard they might try, cannot hide the fact that they're different. Whether born with one, or suffer some known or unknown factor that causes one isn't of importance. In our society, when you look or behave outside the norm, you're damaged goods.
Yet there are many people whose disabilities are hidden not only from others, but from themselves as well. I think I can best illustrate this fact through example.
A ten-year-old boy confined to a wheelchair takes his basketball to school everyday. At recess he practices shooting on the asphalt court marked off precisely for that purpose. When he misses the hoop, and the ball rolls away from him, he calls out to his classmates for a little help. At first everybody pretends not to hear him. Finally as his voice grows louder, one of the boys tells him to get it himself. Another one kicks it even farther away. Seeing that his efforts are in vain, the boy wheels passed the group and retrieves the ball. On his way back to the court, he asks several kids to join him, but all refuse his invitation. When the recess bell sounds, the fifth graders dash to be first in line, every one except the boy in the wheelchair. Obviously he can't compete with his able-bodied counterparts, so he must accept his inferiority without complaint.
Why would his classmates act in such an ignorant, heartless manner towards a boy who is only trying to fit in? Perhaps their disabilities are far more severe but hidden from view. Pretending not to hear a call for help is a form of denial, not acknowledging the request means the request wasn't made at all. Kicking the ball farther away suggests a fear of transference. If the kid picks up the ball, in his mind he is subjecting himself to possibly contracting the very disease that robbed the disabled boy of his mobility. And by not accepting an invitation to join in a shoot-around reflects the boy's fear of what the group would think and do, They might decide to label him as abnormal, and shun him for his interaction with the wheelchair-bound boy. Peer pressure is the strongest contributor to these hidden disabilities that plague our children today.
Yes, physical and mental disabilities are obvious, but they are lived with, overcome, and many times used to advance one's status in life. The boy in the wheelchair has accepted his fate, he's refused to let his shortcomings stop him from reaching for the stars, and I'm sure, as an adult he will become a remarkable man who will make a difference in the lives of many, even of those who labeled and shunned him in childhood.
But most of those who are afflicted with hidden disabilites, will never overcome them because what you don't acknowledge, you can't change. And unfortunately for them, their inability to understand their shortcomings will inhibit them from reaching for the stars, and limit their advancement as adults.
Monday, February 9, 2015
So...You Want To Be A Writer?
What a noble ambition! You've decided you'd like to share your stories with the world and are definitely sure you have what it takes to write the next Pulitzer. I'm happy for you. Deciding what road to travel and setting specific goals to attain that brass ring is admirable.
However I'm just wondering if you are remotely aware of what it takes to be a writer. Do you have the necessary skill requirements? How about command of the English language? Have you brushed up on proper grammatical usage and sentence structure? Are you articulate, imaginative, daring, perhaps even provocative? Can you spell?
If you've be able to say 'yes' to at least a few of these questions, then you may have a shot. But now let's take a hard look at what it really takes to consider such a career. Are you prepared to spend hours upon hours alone with your tablet on your lap staring at an empty screen? Are you willing to turn off your cellphone for long periods of time so as not to be disturbed by family, friends, social responsibilities? Will you have the guts to turn down fun weekends because you have a ton of editing to do?
If you've managed to sidestep the torture and temptations I've mentioned thus far and you actually do complete a project, are you ready to tackle the next phase of authorship? A publisher is required who will actually give your work the time of day, or if you decide on self-publishing, you'll need to educate yourself on how to go about it. Self-publishing isn't for the faint of heart though. You'll either have to hire someone to do it for you which can be quite costly, or maneuver your way through the complicated maze of formatting and editing.
Okay, let's assume you've dodged those bullets and are ready to choose a cover for your emerging masterpiece.The old adage, 'you can't judge a book by its cover' is hogwash in today's visual society. The cover of a book is what determines how successful that book will be. Are you an illustrator, graphic designer? If not, it's now time to find a great artist because a good artist just won't cut it.
And unless you personally know of one, expect to spend hours involved in a very frustrating search. In my experience, I've hired a few illustrators that I believed would design the perfect cover, only to be disappointed and have to begin this tedium all over again.
The glorious day has finally arrived! Your book is finished, edited, formated, and is donning a fabulous cover. You present it to the world on Amazon, Apple, Book Nook, and more. You've told family and friends it's now available for purchase. All that's left is to sit back and watch your sales climb. Right?
Wrong! Now the hard work actually begins. There are millions and millions of books up for grabs, and effective marketing strategies are the key to having folks choose your book. What to do? You can hire a marketing company, take advantage of all the promotions going on daily, or try to sell on your own.
The first two suggestions can also be very expensive, and the third idea simply won't work. Finding groups comprised of authors whose works are in the same genre is a great way to spread the word about your book as well as to form professional bonds with like-minded people. In many instances, these men and women become lasting friends who are an excellent source of knowledge and experience. Seasoned authors are a remarkable bunch, eager and able to assist emerging writers in any way they can.
Finally and perhaps the hardest part of being a writer is dealing with rejection. Either your book won't sell, or worse, folks will buy it and then give it an atrocious review. Your beautifully-written, exquisitely-covered 'baby' is deemed ordinary, maybe even less than that, and horror of horrors, the disgruntled reader is demanding a refunded.
So...you want to be a writer? Are you sure?
However I'm just wondering if you are remotely aware of what it takes to be a writer. Do you have the necessary skill requirements? How about command of the English language? Have you brushed up on proper grammatical usage and sentence structure? Are you articulate, imaginative, daring, perhaps even provocative? Can you spell?
If you've be able to say 'yes' to at least a few of these questions, then you may have a shot. But now let's take a hard look at what it really takes to consider such a career. Are you prepared to spend hours upon hours alone with your tablet on your lap staring at an empty screen? Are you willing to turn off your cellphone for long periods of time so as not to be disturbed by family, friends, social responsibilities? Will you have the guts to turn down fun weekends because you have a ton of editing to do?
If you've managed to sidestep the torture and temptations I've mentioned thus far and you actually do complete a project, are you ready to tackle the next phase of authorship? A publisher is required who will actually give your work the time of day, or if you decide on self-publishing, you'll need to educate yourself on how to go about it. Self-publishing isn't for the faint of heart though. You'll either have to hire someone to do it for you which can be quite costly, or maneuver your way through the complicated maze of formatting and editing.
Okay, let's assume you've dodged those bullets and are ready to choose a cover for your emerging masterpiece.The old adage, 'you can't judge a book by its cover' is hogwash in today's visual society. The cover of a book is what determines how successful that book will be. Are you an illustrator, graphic designer? If not, it's now time to find a great artist because a good artist just won't cut it.
And unless you personally know of one, expect to spend hours involved in a very frustrating search. In my experience, I've hired a few illustrators that I believed would design the perfect cover, only to be disappointed and have to begin this tedium all over again.
The glorious day has finally arrived! Your book is finished, edited, formated, and is donning a fabulous cover. You present it to the world on Amazon, Apple, Book Nook, and more. You've told family and friends it's now available for purchase. All that's left is to sit back and watch your sales climb. Right?
Wrong! Now the hard work actually begins. There are millions and millions of books up for grabs, and effective marketing strategies are the key to having folks choose your book. What to do? You can hire a marketing company, take advantage of all the promotions going on daily, or try to sell on your own.
The first two suggestions can also be very expensive, and the third idea simply won't work. Finding groups comprised of authors whose works are in the same genre is a great way to spread the word about your book as well as to form professional bonds with like-minded people. In many instances, these men and women become lasting friends who are an excellent source of knowledge and experience. Seasoned authors are a remarkable bunch, eager and able to assist emerging writers in any way they can.
Finally and perhaps the hardest part of being a writer is dealing with rejection. Either your book won't sell, or worse, folks will buy it and then give it an atrocious review. Your beautifully-written, exquisitely-covered 'baby' is deemed ordinary, maybe even less than that, and horror of horrors, the disgruntled reader is demanding a refunded.
So...you want to be a writer? Are you sure?
Monday, February 2, 2015
THE JUDGE
If you haven't seen THE JUDGE, starring Robert Duval and Robert Downey,Jr. do it soon. I promise your time will be well-spent. The acting alone is superb, but what makes this such an incredible movie is its conveyance of universal truths of the human condition from birth until death. I know you may think covering so much ground in as little as two hours is impossible, but believe me when I say THE JUDGE does exactly that.
One of the opening scenes places Hank Palmer (Robert Downey, Jr.) in the men's room of a California court house. When vehemently confronted by the prosecutor for his artful defense of a sleazy, rich guy, Palmer 'accidentally' pisses on his legal adversary's pant leg. Hank Palmer doesn't make excuses for his ability to successfully defend guilty people, and actually takes great pride in it. Upon returning to courtroom action, Hank receives a call informing him of his mother's death. He asks and is granted a continuance in order to return home for her burial.
I don't intend to give you a play-by-play account of the movie. My descriptions wouldn't come close to doing it the justice it deserves. But what I'd like to shed some light on is the many issues tackled throughout this amazing film.
To whom and where we're born is critical to who and what we become in our lives. Hank Palmer, the middle child of Judge Joseph Palmer and his wife, Mary, began his life's journey in a small town in Indiana. By no means am I trying to imply that having an accomplished father and a devoted mother gives one a huge advantage over those less fortunate. What I am saying is that from an early age the choices we make can either propel us forwards or thrust us backwards. We alone are responsible for the outcomes that ensue.
If we marry and have a family, our personal investment in both is required. Without any effort to be present in the lives of our partner and our children, being righteously shocked when infidelity and talk of divorce occurrs is extremely naive, verging on stupidity.
If we walk away from our roots deciding that we are so much better than those we left behind, we shouldn't expect to be welcomed back with open arms when a return is necessitated. Telling a young daughter that the father who raised you is 'dead to you' doesn't exactly prepare her for a warm first meeting, now does it?
The subject of death is thoroughly explored throughout THE JUDGE. A devoted mother and beloved wife dies, a promising baseball career is ended because of a careless accident, a young teen is drowned at the hands of a controlling boy friend, a scum bag murderer loses his life under questionable circumstances, the freedom of a notable public servant is snuffed out, a successful lawyer's strongly-held beliefs about family and fate fall by the wayside. And finally when Joseph Palmer's life ends in the middle of the lake he loved so much, do we realize maybe moreso than ever before that death is as much a part of life as is the living of that life.
Awakenings happen to all of the characters at some point in this film. Their enlightenments serve to remind us of the mistakes we've made along the way, while others give us a second chance to resolve our inner conflicts, forgive any perceived wrongs, and open ourselves to a better, more fulfilling existence.
For perhaps the last thirty minutes, I was in tears. My personal realizations tore at my heart, and during that time I was able to come to terms with certain events I had buried deep down so long ago. I was forced to wonder why I hadn't been able to forgive others completely, and knew that the hardest thing was to finally forgive myself. Ironically a movie mired in so much pain and regret, in the end lightened my spirit and renewed my hopes for a brighter tomorrow.
After all I've said, if you aren't inclined to see THE JUDGE, well that's too bad, verging on stupidity!
One of the opening scenes places Hank Palmer (Robert Downey, Jr.) in the men's room of a California court house. When vehemently confronted by the prosecutor for his artful defense of a sleazy, rich guy, Palmer 'accidentally' pisses on his legal adversary's pant leg. Hank Palmer doesn't make excuses for his ability to successfully defend guilty people, and actually takes great pride in it. Upon returning to courtroom action, Hank receives a call informing him of his mother's death. He asks and is granted a continuance in order to return home for her burial.
I don't intend to give you a play-by-play account of the movie. My descriptions wouldn't come close to doing it the justice it deserves. But what I'd like to shed some light on is the many issues tackled throughout this amazing film.
To whom and where we're born is critical to who and what we become in our lives. Hank Palmer, the middle child of Judge Joseph Palmer and his wife, Mary, began his life's journey in a small town in Indiana. By no means am I trying to imply that having an accomplished father and a devoted mother gives one a huge advantage over those less fortunate. What I am saying is that from an early age the choices we make can either propel us forwards or thrust us backwards. We alone are responsible for the outcomes that ensue.
If we marry and have a family, our personal investment in both is required. Without any effort to be present in the lives of our partner and our children, being righteously shocked when infidelity and talk of divorce occurrs is extremely naive, verging on stupidity.
If we walk away from our roots deciding that we are so much better than those we left behind, we shouldn't expect to be welcomed back with open arms when a return is necessitated. Telling a young daughter that the father who raised you is 'dead to you' doesn't exactly prepare her for a warm first meeting, now does it?
The subject of death is thoroughly explored throughout THE JUDGE. A devoted mother and beloved wife dies, a promising baseball career is ended because of a careless accident, a young teen is drowned at the hands of a controlling boy friend, a scum bag murderer loses his life under questionable circumstances, the freedom of a notable public servant is snuffed out, a successful lawyer's strongly-held beliefs about family and fate fall by the wayside. And finally when Joseph Palmer's life ends in the middle of the lake he loved so much, do we realize maybe moreso than ever before that death is as much a part of life as is the living of that life.
Awakenings happen to all of the characters at some point in this film. Their enlightenments serve to remind us of the mistakes we've made along the way, while others give us a second chance to resolve our inner conflicts, forgive any perceived wrongs, and open ourselves to a better, more fulfilling existence.
For perhaps the last thirty minutes, I was in tears. My personal realizations tore at my heart, and during that time I was able to come to terms with certain events I had buried deep down so long ago. I was forced to wonder why I hadn't been able to forgive others completely, and knew that the hardest thing was to finally forgive myself. Ironically a movie mired in so much pain and regret, in the end lightened my spirit and renewed my hopes for a brighter tomorrow.
After all I've said, if you aren't inclined to see THE JUDGE, well that's too bad, verging on stupidity!
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