"Gilbert, I'm afraid I'm scandalously in love with you..."


http://avonleavignettes.com/anne/photo3.html
        Margie wrote about movie quotes last week. I really enjoyed the post, but since I’m not a movie person, I didn’t have anything to bring to the quotes table. I could remember scenes and how they made me feel, but not quotes. However, the “how they made me feel” thing has come up a lot in my mind—and my emotions—lately.
          In 1994, I made my daughter’s wedding 
Photo by Jeremy Flaherty
dress. Also the matron of honor’s, three bridesmaids’, and two flower girls’ dresses. From March until August, I didn’t venture too far from the sewing machine. Over and over, while I sewed, I watched Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea, the ones with Megan Follows and Jonathan Crombie playing Anne and Gilbert.
          I loved how they made me feel while I sewed. They got me over the crying-over-beading and the many times I said, “I can’t do this,” and all the days I was much too tired to thread the needle one more time.
          Over 20 years later, the movies make me feel the same way. Seldom have I seen so much joy, laughter, sadness, beauty, and warmth in one spot. I don’t just watch them—I experience them—and each experience is richer than the last.
          Thursday, Duane and I went to see The Dixie Swim Club at the Ole Olsen Memorial Theatre. While I admit to some bias, I think Peru, Indiana’s local drama group is full of outstanding talent, and it’s never been showcased any better than it is in this play. I laughed so hard I nearly cried, and then there was a brilliant, aching point where I was crying.
          When we were talking on our way home, agreeing once again that we’d just seen the best production ever, I kept thinking of the writing mantra: Make them laugh. Make them cry. Make them wait.
          I laughed so often during the Anne movies. I’m snickering right now, thinking of the dead mouse in the cream. I waited—not quite believing even though I’d read the books and knew—for Anne to realize Gilbert really was her kindred spirit. And I cried, when Anne and Marilla held hands walking home that day. When Matthew died.
          It’s always nice when readers say something that makes you goofy-smile and happy-dance all day. Or when they let you know you got them through something that would have been harder otherwise. It means that even though they may forget your name, the title of the book, or even its protagonists, they’ll still remember how you made them feel. It doesn’t get any better than that.
            Jonathan Crombie died last week. He was only 48. He passed away after a brain hemorrhage. It is unbearably sad to think about. I hope he knew how much he gave to so many. 
            Rest in peace, Gilbert Blythe. You made me feel wonderful.

                          

Comments

  1. Loved your post, Liz! You are great at making us laugh, making us cry, and making us wait. Thanks for sharing your talent, and for sharing your inspirations. I'm so glad you didn't give up. Ever.

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  2. You know, I don't think I've ever watched those movies. I may have to find them on Netflix. I've read the books and I remember loving them as a girl...I may have to dust off my old copies (or maybe just buy new for the kindle) and see what I find inside. Great post, Liz!

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    1. The movies are about my favorites for feel-good, and they're beautiful to look at besides (to me, at least). Thanks, Kristi!

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  3. Excellent post, Liz! I've watched Anne of Green Gables several times on the screen and stage. Just thinking about it brings a smile to my face. How sad to hear that Jonathan Crombie is no longer with us.

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    1. Thanks, Joanne. It IS sad, and when I think of him, he's still the age of Gilbert in the movies.

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  4. I have yet to see the movies in their entirety...I used to catch episodes on PBS during Pledge Week, so I'm with Kristina....think they will be my next NetFlix binge:) I used to always read Anne of Green Gables in August, since it got me 'in the mood' for school:)

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    1. I think I read it then, too, Molly. And, in winter, when I needed to feel something somehow special, I read Little Women and Understood Betsy. I am an east-coast person in my soul. Not sure how I ended up as a Hoosier! :-)

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    2. I LOVE Understood Betsy:) And Caddie Woodlawn....*sigh*

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  5. My daughter and I watched Scarlet while she was in active labor for my first granddaughter. She was so determined to finish it. As soon as it was over i got her to the hospital and the baby was born within two hours. Memories...

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    1. LOL. I'll bet she heard Prissy's voice in her sleep!

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  6. A lovely piece. I loved both the books and the movies. I watched these as a teenager when they aired on PBS and had the added benefit of developing a huge crush on Jonathan Crombie. I hadn't thought of him in years, but when I heard he died, felt like another little piece of my adolescence had slipped away.

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    1. Thanks, Linda. He was definitely crush-worthy, wasn't he?

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  7. I was so sad to hear about Jonathan Crombie's passing for all the reasons listed above. He was the embodiment of the perfect partner of a creative soul like Anne.

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