If anyone is in need of a healthy dose of “perspective” today, and just really was feeling like crying their eyes out ( about something not political), well… I have just the thing.
If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you have access to view this movie for free of charge ( or at least the last time I had checked). If you do choose to watch this movie, I won’t even pretend to lie: bring some Kleenex. I’ve held back the waterworks watching a lot of movies; this was NOT one of them. A total, unhinged mess. I had attempted to see this movie while it was in theaters, but couldn’t make it work with shows in the middle of the day. It’s a good thing too- I can’t imagine having to view this in public, and trying to keep it together; it’s best viewed in the comfort of your own home.
This movie is about former NFL Player and Father, Steve Gleason. Some may have heard of him, some not. He wasn’t a superstar NFL player, but he is credited with the rebirth of the New Orleans Saints after Katrina, with a pretty stellar blocked punt, and subsequent touchdown return.
These days, he’s known for being a champion for those with ALS. He’s also been battling this horrendous disease for some time, and this movie chronicles the diagnosis, and his life afterward. It’s only a couple hours worth of peeking into his reality, but it’s hard for most to relate to what his and his family’s reality must be 24 hours a day, 7 days a week- it really does provide a healthy dose of perspective. It’s not to say that there aren’t happy times in the film. There are plenty. Steve also charges ahead, and lives his motto “No White Flags.” If you don’t find it inspiring, you might want to check your pulse.
If you need a reminder about what’s important in life, and what this whole thing is all about, I could NOT recommend anything better.
If you want to support Steve’s foundation, and his work, here’s a link-
Also, Steve wrote the lyrics to these songs with Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready, and the purchase goes toward supporting the foundation as well.
Finally, here’s Steve’s speech before Pearl Jam played “Inside Job” at Wrigley Field this past year. Being there in person to see it was one of my favorite moments in all of 2016, and good reminder about how we “choose to feel.”
Andrew L Hamilton 