Finding Contentment in The Odd Life of Timothy Green
A million people can watch the same movie and walk away with a million and one different perspectives.
Movies are meant to entertain. To comfort. To amuse. To just be.
There are a few movies each year that can touch my heart at its core. The Odd Life of Timothy Green was one of those movies.
The Odd Life of Timothy Green
I was honored to get to watch The Odd Life of Timothy Green with a large group of my fellow bloggers in New York City while at BlogHer.
Others spoke of not wanting to watch a movie while in NYC while there were so many other “great things to do“… but I did not want to miss it.
And I am so very glad I made the choice I did. The movie brought a perspective back into my heart that I needed to be reminded of in my own life.
Let me begin with my favorite personal quote from the movie… it made me giggle because of something I completely related to a family member but I have to share:
Jim: “Have a great day!“
Cindy: “That’s too much pressure.“
Jim: “Have the day you have.“
Ok… ok… on with more of the movie!
“The Odd Life of Timothy Green” is an inspiring, magical story about a happily married couple, Cindy and Jim Green {Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton}, who cannot wait to start a family.
Yet they can only dream about what their child would be like. When young Timothy {CJ Adams} appears in their home one stormy night,
Cindy and Jim — as well as the people of their small town of Stanleyville — learn that sometimes the unexpected can bring some of life’s greatest gifts.
Finding Contentment
I found the movie’s tagline to be right on: “He’s a force of nature.”
How true those few simple words would become.
One sweet little boy dared to be different and to make a change in the lives of others.
One boy set out to find contentment in his circumstances and helped others find their own happiness as well.
The movie brought on a flood of emotions and afterward, I can look back and see why it touched my heart as it did.
Brenda: “Where did he come from?”
Cindy: “It was all very sudden… and kind of miraculous.”
Cindy and Tim Green are faced with the challenges of infertility. I have close friends who struggle with this as well and know the heartache it can bring.
But, even though infertility was not a personal struggle I faced, I have lost an angel to a miscarriage and the movie tore at my heartstrings in that sense.
There was a flash of lightning on the screen and I was immediately brought back to my own experience in the doctor’s office that fateful day over 4 years ago.
Alas, just as Timothy changed the lives he touched in tremendous ways — our Reagan did much of the same.
That baby molded my husband and I into better parents and made way for our beautiful, baby girl who will now be 3 in September.
There is always a reason and a lesson to be learned.
Soccer coach: “That little guy of yours, he’s something special.”
Something Different
Secondly, I was incredibly moved by the sincere and gentle heart of Timothy Green.
Realizing there was something different about him, Timothy still chose to be the best he could be.
Soccer coach: “Why are you smiling?”
Timothy: “I can only get better!”
I LOVE that scene! My middle daughter has battled anorexia and chronic constipation for over a year and a half now. She is 8.
Although anorexia has been the easier of the two to handle and “cure”… chronic constipation has been a pain in our side since its fruition.
The main thing about it is that it can lead to embarrassing odors and accidents. Not to mention, the emotional side of it was very tough on all of us.
I attended every school trip, party, or function to be by my daughter’s side. I had kids ask me why she was always crying.
Why did she miss so much school? Why was she always going to the bathroom? Even 1st graders can be cruel.
My daughter was embarrassed and uncomfortable. But she pressed on. She found friends who cared about her and genuinely wanted her to get better.
Those friends knew she was “different” and yet liked her anyway.
Just as Joni befriends Timothy, my daughter was enveloped by a tight group of friends and flourished this past year through those relationships.
Cindy: “You know he’s different?”
Joni: “That’s what I like about him.”
Timothy Green felt sorry for those who bullied him. He admired those who truly cared. He loved those who loved him unconditionally.
And, most of all, he inspired everyone around him to be a better person.
The Odd Life of Timothy Green became so much more than a movie to me.
It took root and grew in my innermost being. It sprouted and overwhelmed my thoughts.
How I wish others could be inspired to see each and every person as a wonderfully made being; perfect in their own way.
Cindy: I’ve decided it, our son will not be seen as different, He will be treated like normal kid.