During this time of year I am often reminded of a scene from one of my favorite movies, Joe Versus the Volcano. In this movie Joe, played by Tom Hanks, undergoes some life changing events. For many years he lived a boring and meaningless life. Then right as he is about to experience his “mid life” crisis he receives news that he has a mysterious brain cloud and that he only has six months to live.
A wealthy industrialist finds out about his condition and gives him an offer. “Live like a king, die like a man”. He will give Joe all the money and pleasures of life for six months if Joe will agree to jump into a volcano on a remote island in the Pacific. Joe agrees and spends the next several weeks living well and examining his life.
Eventually he must fulfill his end of the bargain and he takes a yacht down to the island. Along the way a ferocious hurricane comes and sinks his ship. Joe is stranded at sea for several days floating aimlessly on his luggage. It is this part of the movie that has the beautiful scene that I remember vividly.
Joe is desperate. He hasn’t eaten or had water for a couple of days. He has absolutely nothing and no real prospects for getting out of the ocean alive. His skin is blistered from the heat. He is wondering what he is doing. Just as he is about ready to give in the sun sets. A big, full moon rises from the dark ocean. At that moment the beautiful moon gave him pause and he said the following line. “Dear God, whose name I do not know - thank you for my life.”
Why does this scene mean so much to me, especially this time of year? Thanksgiving and Christmas is typically the time that we stop to count everything that we are thankful for. It is the time when stop worrying about what we don’t have and we can be thankful for all of the things that we do have.
We have wonderful families. We are able to get a great education. We live in a time where so much possibility is at our finger tips. Our lives are so full. Let’s spend a few moments during this time of year to remember and be grateful for all of those good things in our lives.
