Yesterday I caught one of my favorite movies on HBO... Steel Magnolias. It was already half over and close to the famous part: the funeral scene. Even though I knew what was going to happen, I could not help it and I cried... and I laughed. To me, this scene is one of the most memorable scenes in moviedom and all the actors were wonderful.

I love this movie for the memorable quotes and quips throughout. I love a movie that can make me laugh and I love a movie that can make me cry. This one hits a homerun on both. But I also have a beautiful memory associated with it.. the first time I saw it.

My husband and I were flying back to Australia with our one year old daughter. As always, she behaved so quietly that no one even knew there was a baby on board. She sat on our laps, taking turns going from my lap to her dad’s. We were able to enjoy the movie since she entertained herself with assorted toys.... until the scenes when Julia Roberts’ character, Shelby, is dying. It is then that my daughter decided to stand on my husband’s lap and play with his glasses and nose. She was actually trying to bite his nose during the funeral scene! So we were all crying. I could hear the sobs from everyone on the plane. My daughter was giggling just trying to reach for her father’s nose. Luckily, the funny part came along just in time as she got a nip and my husband had to laugh at both her and the scene in the movie. The timing was perfect!

To this date, I cannot watch that movie without remembering the nose biting attempt. I cannot decide whether I love the memory of the nose biting because I was watching the movie or whether I love the movie because of the memory. In either case, I am left with a warm feeling in my heart.

"Laughter, through tears is my favorite emotion."
~Truvy (Dolly Parton) in Steel Magnolias

"I love these little people, and it is not a slight thing, when they, who are so fresh from God, love us."
~Charles Dickens