This exchange from Stephen Spielberg’s movie, The Fabelmans, hit me so hard. Sammy’s mother, Mitzi, says these brutally beautiful words to her son:
I’m doing this thing.
And I don’t know if it’s the right thing but it’s a life and death thing for me.
And I’m sorry but everybody else is going to have to hold on for dear life.
And somehow we will survive this, all of us.
And yes, this is the most selfish thing I have ever done but I’ve got to do this now.
Because Sammy, you do what your heart says you have to because you don’t owe anyone your life.
Not even me.
I did not expect to like what Mitzi said. Her words are the opposite of everything I believe to be true about love (namely that true love means responsibility and showing up selflessly). These movie words rattled me. Particularly coming from a mother to a child.
So it made zero sense when I also felt absolute freedom upon hearing them. Her words resonated because maybe true love really is just about freeing each other (over and over again). To allow your beloved the freedom to follow the direction their heart says they must go. Even if that direction is away from you. Especially then.
Love all of you bunnies in your bunny suits wearing your hearts on your sleeves
