Wisdom from Galaxy Quest

“Never give up, never surrender.” (Commander Peter Quincy Taggart)

It’s a pleasure to share happy memories of earlier years, but life isn’t always simple or happy. Struggles and setbacks and tragedies find all of us, especially as we look back on our lives. Maybe it's even true for you today.

“Nobody gets out of here without singing the blues,” we learn from Adventures in Babysitting, and it’s true. I used to wonder why women cried at weddings. Now I know. Those bright-eyed brides, who believe in “happily ever after,” have yet to meet the reality of change and growth and twists from daily life. The rest of us, who’ve experienced them all, know better.

Yet, in the midst of every family disaster, there’s been at least one moment of something beautiful, something touching, something comforting, something funny.

When our family was gathered because my sister was dying from complications of multiple sclerosis, I remember standing outside the hospital in Central Florida, praying while I listened to the most beautiful bird song I’d ever heard, a mockingbird offering his best courting song. I felt encouraged, and my sister did rally, mainly due to prayer and her nurse friend who spent the night in her room, singing Amazing Grace over and over.

Now, you have to understand that each of my family has some quirk. JoAnn despised the song. “How can you not love Amazing Grace?” we’d say, but what can you expect from someone who also hated watermelon. Really? (But then, I shudder at mac-n-cheese. As I said, we all have our quirks…) And, by the way, I sent flowers to Dawn and thanked her for our sister’s life.

Children fill our hearts, but can break them, too. There was a time when Dave and I made a weekly trip to the Ann Arbor area, a difficult and sad time. An hour’s drive each way with anxiety and sorrow crowding us in the car. I’m a notorious daydreamer, so tried to find comfort in the scenery. And it is beautiful countryside near Ann Arbor.

There was a town that we drove through each week, an old town with small houses in quiet neighborhoods. We passed one yard with a scattering of teddy bears, all sizes, on a tablecloth, having a picnic.

Whoever had arranged them saw to every detail. They were dressed in summer attire, a picnic basket was open, with plates and cups set out.

The next week, I looked for the same house, wondering if they were still on the front lawn. They were, but this time, it was a birthday party, complete with party clothes, balloons, gifts, and a large cake.

During the weeks we made that drive, I looked forward to the teddy bear picnic scene. One week they rode tricycles in a circle, another, they played near a plastic pool, dressed in bathing suits, with plastic buckets and shovels.

One Saturday, it rained hard and I was disappointed not to enjoy the sight of the teddy bears at play, but nope, their owner was prepared with slickers and umbrellas and yellow plastic boots.

“The show must go on.” (Commander Peter Quincy Taggart)

We survived that difficulty, as we always do, with the help of family, friends, and God. At the time, though, happy endings didn’t feel guaranteed.

“Well, forget it! I’m not doing it! This episode was badly written!” (Lt. Tawny Madison)

We never do anything alone. We never suffer alone, unless we choose to.

“By Grabthar’s Hammer, you shall be avenged.” (Dr. Lazarus)

In the midst of happy memories of childhood and years in the Heights, in Michigan, surrounded by family and friends, occasionally it’s important to stop and remember that the mixture of dark and light, sorrow and laughter are part of real life. And none of us gets out of here without “singing the blues.”

Still…

“As long as there is injustice, whenever a Targathian baby cries out, wherever a distress signal sounds among the stars, we’ll be there. This fine ship, this fine crew. Never give up…and never surrender.” (Commander Peter Quincy Taggart)

God bless you all.

And He does.