To the Zoo.

So, it’s been some time. Sorry? I could tell you that “I’ve been so busy,” that “life is just crazy right now,” or that “I’ve barely had any time to do anything lately.” I could tell you that. I could. But I won’t. Because why? You make time for what you want to make time for. That’s why I get mad at myself if I ever find myself saying that to someone. That’s why sometimes relationships and friendships can be a hard pill to swallow, especially when the person on the reciprocating end, well, just doesn't reciprocate. It’s not that they don’t care about you, but well, they’re not making time for you.  That’s life, baby. But rejoice, there are those that do care. With all that I say, I haven’t blogged lately because I have not wanted to blog. I have not wanted to type out my thoughts or feelings or viewpoints. Rather, this sweet little era of blogging silence has been extremely loud in my little corner of the world. Much to live and many mental photos taken. Laughs shared. Tears cried. And breakthroughs. And from these moments, with pen in hand, I wrote. 

So really, you could say I have been “blogging”, but just off the record and undisclosed. Only for my maker and me. But, dear friends, thank you for your patience, for your support and for your quiet reads. Because I know there have been many of you checking this daily—to see when the next entry would post. And each day, a teeny little piece of hope chipped away. That, or your life was the same. 

What’s my inspiration now? Simple: We Bought a Zoo. Man, what a good movie. I love cats and I love that you can see the face of a domesticated kitten in a huge ferocious tiger. That’s comforting to me. No? 

There is a scene in this movie that is pure truth. It takes place when Dylan and his dad (Matt Damon) begin screaming at each other. Dylan was upset that they uprooted their lives, moved out to the middle of nowhere to start a zoo and the fact that his mom passed away. He’s angry. He’s hurt.

Matt, even though he is sad too that he lost his wife, is upset with Dylan that he keeps moping around and that he keeps feeling sorry for himself when no one else is doing that. He tells him that he needs help with Dylan’s little sister. And then, the pinnacle of the emotions erupted. Matt, yelling to Dylan, “I need your help! Help me, help me!”

And Dylan’s response, “Help ME! Help ME!”

Now, some loved this movie. Some thought it was cheesy. I don’t care with either "somes" say. This moment is brilliant. Why? Because it’s need for need. It’s hurt for hurt. And it’s all expressed in two lines.

That was the breaking moment in the father-son relationship in this movie. From there you begin to see them communicate in a weird way—but having an understanding with each other.

Why did I find this so fascinating? Because when we express our needs and say that we need help, it brings a vulnerability to the surface that some might never know or never understand, unless we just say it. Help me. Help me.

It was the painful and tearful plea from the son that really demonstrated to me how we are the children and are dying for the help of a father, a real Father. A Father that doesn’t need our help at all. A Father that knows what we need . A Father that meets our needs. A Father that is our help. A Father that will hold our hearts in pain. A Father that will rejoice with us in victories. And a Father whose love is more powerful than the ferocity of any lion. A Father that will never stop fighting for us.

So what now? I know kids, let's go buy a zoo.

-S