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Epoch Times
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
‘The Trip to Bountiful': A Love Letter to Aging Gracefully
Ever wonder why young people say, 'I wish' almost as much as older people say, 'I remember'? They're merely betraying how they perceive their past and their future, and how that shapes the way they're live their present. Set in 1940s Texas, 'The Trip to Bountiful' (1985) features characters who wonder how they might savor life better. They could soak in more of their present instead of pining for their past or fretting about their future. If they learn to do that, they appear to say they'll be able to approach inevitable death with fewer sorrowful regrets and at least a few more joyful hopes. Cranky widow Carrie Watts (Geraldine Page) lives with her adult son Ludie (John Heard) and her childless daughter-in-law Jessie Mae (Carlin Glynn). The women direct their willfulness largely at each other. (L–R) Ludie (John Heard), Jessie Mae (Carlin Glynn), and Thelma (Rebecca De Mornay), in 'The Trip to Bountiful.' Island Pictures/MovieStillsDB Caught in this womanly crossfire, Ludie tries to make the best of it. Carrie, though, is secretly itching to escape to Bountiful, Texas, the faraway town she remembers from her girlhood. Jessie Mae and Ludie won't send her alone, even on some nostalgic road trip. Her heart's too weak. Bountiful has long since withered. Carrie steals away regardless. En route, she realizes that change in life is certain: some of it good, some of it less so. What matters is adapting to change gracefully. 'The Trip to Bountiful' secured Page's first and only Best Actress Oscar. In its meditation on aging, the film resembles ' Related Stories 3/15/2023 10/15/2023 The now barren Bountiful is, of course, an ironic metaphor for the girl that Carrie once was, a fond but faded fragment of the past. Carrie's journey is as much inward as it is outward. The trip nudges her toward gratitude for life's blessings and beauty, however fleeting. The character of Thelma (Rebecca De Mornay), the young woman she befriends on her bus ride, is a narrative peg, offering Carrie a chance to reflect; she's talking as much to herself as she is to Thelma. Carrie's escapade depicts how the elderly seem to regress to childlike fragility, forgetfulness, and dependence on others to a point where they're not trusted to choose what's good for them. After a lifetime of independence, it can be tough to return to accepting that others must tell them what to do, when, where, and how. Frail, Carrie childishly rebels against Jessie Mae's persistent cries to, 'Walk, don't run!' Carrie wonders if her precious pension check has more power uncashed because of what it promises, or cashed because of what it fulfills. After her aching conversation with Thelma about fulfilled and unfulfilled love, neither of them has wisecrack solutions to deal with a full, or broken, heart. Yet, Thelma finds Carrie's recourse to Psalm 91 comforting; perhaps Carrie's heart isn't as weak as she thinks. (L–R) Thelma (Rebecca De Mornay), Ludie (John Heard), and Carrie Watts (Geraldine Page), in 'The Trip to Bountiful.' Island Pictures/MovieStillsDB Carrie speaks heartbreakingly of children she'd lost to disease or some other deprivation as a young mother in Bountiful; if she'd had a grown-up daughter, she wishes she'd be just like Thelma: 'Sweet, considerate, thoughtful … and pretty.' Notice how Carrie lists what she'd like to be bountiful in a woman. Age by itself doesn't imply maturity. Carrie accepts that her childishness is getting in the way of her getting along with Jessie Mae. The sheriff and bus station clerk gain Carrie's respect, although both men are much younger than her. But by respecting someone older than they are, they're respecting themselves. Through their patience and kindness toward her, they're admitting that they too will one day, like Carrie, have slower limbs, a feebler voice, and a weaker memory. Carrie muses about what she considers luck and ill-luck. She suspects that it's not that God is absent when things don't go her way or that he's present when they do. It's merely that she acknowledges and appreciates his presence only at some times, and only in some places. Ludie nods indulgently when Carrie insists that the sky above Bountiful is the bluest, even if he knows that it's no bluer than the one back home in Houston. Clutching faded family album pictures to her chest, Carrie seems to say that photographs are mere objects, the way memories are mere images in our minds. It's the wisdom in moving on from snapshots of our past, no matter how endearing, that decides whether those memories will comfort, coach, or control us. These reflective articles may interest parents, caretakers, or educators of teenagers and young adults, seeking great movies to watch together or recommend. They're about films that, when viewed thoughtfully, nudge young people to be better versions of themselves. Check the You can watch 'The Trip to Bountiful' on the Roku Channel, Kanopy and Plex. What arts and culture topics would you like us to cover? Please email ideas or feedback to
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Habitat for Humanity of Cass County breaks ground on community build
Gathering in an empty lot covered with dirt and patches of grass, a family envisioned life in a new neighborhood. Habitat for Humanity of Cass County broke ground Saturday for its community build home. Construction should be wrapped up by autumn. The ceremony started off with some prayers. 'I thank you, God, for the location. I thank you for the peace that already rests on this property,' Benjamin Grant, vice president of the local Habitat for Humanity board, said with his head bowed. 'Lord, I just feel … this beautiful presence here, lord, of just tranquility.' He went on to thank the heavens for adding the family that will move into the home — Alaina Small, James Seibert and their children — to the neighborhood before asking board secretary Reba Griffith to read scripture. She chose a few verses from Psalm 91, which talks about the protection of those who abide by scripture. Seibert and Small had been introduced to the community earlier in the week during a banquet by Habitat for Humanity. During an interview with the Pharos-Tribune at the banquet, Seibert explained he proposed to Small on Christmas. She had expected the proposal, but was surprised by her application later being accepted by Habitat for Humanity. 'It's been a great experience partnering with Habitat,' Small said at the banquet. 'I'm ready to build. I've always wanted to build my own home and now I'm getting to do that.' Habitat for Humanity of Cass County's executive director, Scott Jewell, said during the banquet the organization is already looking for more families to help. The local group, which started building houses again last year after briefly disbanding in 2020, hopes to eventually build four to six houses a year. Jewell and other leaders with the organization asked for the community's help to accomplish those goals. So far, Habitat for Humanity of Cass County has raised roughly 70% of the $100,000 goal for its current community build. Anyone who donates will get a 50% state tax credit. Other than monetary donations, the organization is looking for volunteers. They don't have to be skilled laborers to help, Jewell noted. He invited anyone interested in helping to reach out to info@ In total, six people led prayers hoping to bless the land and new family. Among them was pastor Randy Griffith. 'I've seen people's lives change. I've seen families that work that society gave up on, and their lives changed now,' Griffith said. He later added, 'It started out by Habitat being one that was used as a vessel by God to be able to reach into people's lives.' Later, donning reflective vests and hard hats, the couple took turns pushing a shovel into the ground and pulled up fresh soil. Jewell and Mark Snyder, board president of the local Habitat for Humanity, followed suit. They all posed for photos afterward. Several ate cookies under a Habitat-branded tent. Standing with two of their children, Small and Seibert reflected on what the ceremony meant to them. For Small, it marked a new beginning. Looking toward the dog park that sat caddy corner to the lot, Seibert said the home would be great for the kids. The family has three dogs: a husky, beagle and Chihuahua. 'I'm so excited,' Small said, 'It's just a lot of feelings.' 'It's just a new beginning with the family,' Seibert added.
