Let's Talk About "The Last Leaf" and "It's a Wonderful Life"

 

As I've said over the years, I usually read "The Last Leaf" by O. Henry each Christmas. Why that story? Well, I love short stories. And while I love short stories for different reasons, "The Last Leaf" is all about acting out of selflessness to help someone else. 

The story is about loyalty to your family when a loved one is in need. It's about maintaining hope and making sacrifices for others. But mainly, it's about a selfless act. It's about an unlikely masterpiece, a symbol of hope, love, and the power to overcome despair, created by someone who does something extraordinary for someone else without thinking about or wanting fame, recognition, or money. 

During a pneumonia epidemic in New York City, when his sick neighbor believes she will die when the last leaf falls from an ivy vine outside her window, Mr. Behrman is initially dismissive of such nonsense, but at the same time, he secretly resolves to help. Mr. Behrman, a pessimistic, grumpy old artist, paints a realistic leaf on the wall during a storm. That unlikely source of innate goodness, contracted pneumonia, and sacrificed his own life to give his sick neighbor the will to live.

For a person like me who has fought the urge to give up on hope and embrace the notion of "Bah humbug" from time to time over the years, I find myself clinging to the idea that there is more innate goodness in people than I sometimes give them credit for. The saying, "Bah humbug," captures the feelings of some folks this time of year. Defined, it combines "Bah," an exclamation of disdain, and "humbug," which is an old term for "fraud" or "nonsense." 

While I truly believe there is a great deal of humbug going on today, I work very hard to remain true to what I was taught in that we are all born with a fundamental, inherent inclination, a natural, built-in tendency or predisposition to behave, feel, or think in a certain way, without needing to learn it, when it comes to living with moral behavior, goodness, and kindness for others. 

Frankly, though I shake my head in disbelief when catching up on the news these days, I still believe we have the capacity to respect others and to be selfless when it comes to caring about people in general. We all have a natural moral compass, the ability to judge what is right and wrong, act accordingly, and do good. I would love to believe that our true nature is good, even if we have seen so much evidence to the contrary.

Maybe that's why I love watching the movie, "It's a Wonderful Life," each year at Christmas. I still believe that every life has value, even ordinary ones, and that small acts of kindness create a huge, very positive ripple effect in the lives of others we've met. The film reminds us that our purpose in life comes from connecting with others, from hard work, from doing for family, from sacrificing for those we love, from appreciating the unseen good we bring to the table, and from our faith in God. 

I've seen despair and felt the urge to believe I had failed myself and others. Those feelings are real. There's nothing fun about feeling overwhelmed. There is nothing that hurts so much as experiencing loss, betrayal, and feeling like you're at the end of your rope. These feelings come from the negatives that life throws at us, those life events and past experiences that we wish we hadn't lived but did. The good part is that such feelings are temporary and not absolute truths. Of course, it's hard to keep that in mind when you're going through tough times. 

In the movie "It's a Wonderful Life," George Bailey, a man feeling down on his luck, is desperate over the loss of funds he is ultimately responsible for. It was Uncle Billy who misplaced $8,000 from the Bailey Building & Loan, wrapping it in Mr. Potter's newspaper. Potter found the money and kept it, then framed George by accusing him of fraud and embezzlement when George sought a loan to cover the loss. George vehemently defends his integrity, but the evidence, or lack of it, and Potter's power leave him facing jail time and financial ruin, leading to his breakdown.

George Bailey faces legal problems and the possibility of arrest. He sees himself losing his family, his good name being dragged through the mud, scandal, and ruin. He is an innocent man who knows that he will be seen as guilty by those who want to believe the worst in people. He also knows the reality of life: people accused of crimes are more likely to be treated as guilty until proven innocent. 

It's a flaw in people. And yes, I've experienced it firsthand, where I was accused, and people automatically assume I was guilty. It has nothing to do with right or wrong. It's a flawed system in that innocent people must prove their own innocence. Like it or not, it's a presumption of guilt. And believe me when I say that presumption of guilt is a heavy burden to shake. No matter how innocent you are, there are still going to be people who will believe the lies, the misinformation, the false accusations. 

Sadly, I've been there. I've had to present evidence to prove I didn't do what unscrupulous individuals accused me of. And really, contrary to what we're told, the lie is that our legal system assumes innocence and requires proof of guilt, as seen in the phrase "innocent until proven guilty." That's not how the real world works. 

In my case, instead of feeling at the end of my rope, I defended myself and fought back against the personal attacks and the false allegations. And yes, I won. But really, it wasn't easy, and it was expensive.   

The greatness of this classic movie is its honesty in how it was written. In "It's a Wonderful Life," the character George Bailey knew people would believe the worst, even when it wasn't true. He knew the scandal of improprieties would ruin his business, his name, his family, and possibly send him to jail. And yes, his worries about jail and ruin compound his troubles to the point that his life looked worthless -- so worthless that he saw suicide as his only answer.

In the film, he has to be taught how good a life he has had and how good a person he is. He has to learn that his life is a gift that should not be thrown away. He needed to learn that good prevails over evil, and that he had to do what it took to fight what had happened. 

George Bailey's primary "fight" is an emotional and moral one, in which he must overcome despair and a sense of failure before his community rallies to help him address the financial accusations. In his case, the townspeople who knew and trusted him raised more than enough money to cover the missing funds and clear his name. Yes, showing him that his positive impact on their lives was his ultimate defense.

That's the core message of the Christmas film, "It's a Wonderful Life." George Bailey, feeling like a failure, is shown by his guardian angel, Clarence, what the world would be like without him, revealing the profound positive impact of his seemingly ordinary life, self-sacrifice, and countless small acts of kindness.

George Bailey reaches a breaking point on Christmas Eve and wishes he'd never been born. Clarence grants George's wish, allowing him to see a version of his life and his surroundings where he never existed. It is a dark lesson, but he sees that his everyday acts of integrity, his keeping to his moral compass and doing the right things, his generosity, and love for others, gave him a life that was, though often frustrating for George because he wanted different things in life, a wonderful life. 

In the film, George Bailey learned that God sent him an angel to help show him that, ultimately, his life was indeed wonderful and valuable. While the film emphasizes that a life isn't measured by grand achievements but by the positive ripples from small, consistent actions and relationships, it also highlights how deeply intertwined our lives really are, and that there is a great deal of strength to be found in kindness, being a good person, and appreciating the blessings and positive impact we have, even when we feel down. 

To me, it's a movie of hope and inspiration, especially when hope seems lost, and the bright side of things is hard to see. Ultimately, George learns that, despite his frustrations and dashed dreams, and despite the troubles that seemed insurmountable at the time, his life was a treasure, rich with meaning and love, proving it was truly wonderful. Realizing his life's worth when an angel shows him how the world would have been worse off without him. This experience renews his determination, and he returns home to face the situation with the support of his family and friends. To his credit, the community rallied around him and contributed what was needed to cover the missing funds. 

The basic message of the film is that everyone matters, and one's impact isn't measured by fame or fortune but by love and good deeds. Yes, one person's life touches many others in profound, often unnoticeable ways. For George, he sacrificed his dreams for his family and his town, and later learned that his true purpose lay in those selfless acts. It's a story of finding light in one's darkest hour. It reveals the miracle hidden in an ordinary man, and encourages people to see the good in their own lives and the positive impact they have on others. 

Why watch such a film at Christmas? Well, Christmas offers moral lessons in generosity, love, hope, humility, and forgiveness, all about connection and giving. Let's remember above all else that Christmas is about God's gift of Jesus. It's about emphasizing values like family, kindness, and second chances.

In "The Last Leaf" and "It's a Wonderful Life," we see the power of faith and the importance of empathy and selflessness. We see God's love and are reminded to find joy in simple things. The Wise Men's gifts point to God's ultimate gift, Jesus, and inspire us to give time, resources, and kindness to others. The Nativity story's humble setting teaches the value of humility and the sacredness of life, even in simple circumstances. Jesus' birth signifies God's deep love for humanity, encouraging us to love one another. The season reminds us that God provides and nothing is impossible, offering hope and a path to new life through faith. 

Christmas stories and traditions teach vital life lessons about love, generosity, selflessness, hope, and the importance of community, while emphasizing that true joy comes from giving and connection, not just gifts. Themes like second chances and finding the magic of Christmas in simple faith and kindness, even amidst hardship, remind us that small beginnings can lead to big things. It reminds us to find the good in our current situation. It reminds us to appreciate our family and the traditions that strengthen our bonds and create lasting memories.

Christmas is a time when we should be reminded to be thankful for our blessings, both big and small. It's a time when we can look beyond ourselves to help those in need. And really, what's wrong with spreading joy, being a source of positivity? 

God's immense love for humanity, demonstrated by giving His Son, calls us to love others. Jesus' arrival brought hope, peace, and a divine plan, showing us that even humble beginnings, a manger, can fulfill great purposes. And yes, let's remember forgiveness. The core message is God's forgiveness and reconciliation, a principle we should extend to others. The magic of Christmas encourages believing in good and finding joy, a mindset that we should carry with us year-round.

As for Christmas traditions like gift-giving? They highlight the joy and purpose found in selfless giving.
Christmas traditions are vital for creating family bonds, providing comfort, and passing down values, fostering a sense of belonging, continuity, and shared identity through predictable, joyful rituals like decorating trees, singing carols, and all enjoying that special meal together. Such traditions offer stability amid the busyness and chaos of today's world, helping to anchor us in our history, connect generations, and create lasting memories, reinforcing faith, love, and community.

Christmas traditions help keep families together by creating shared experiences and fostering a strong sense of "home," making members feel accepted and secure. Believe it or not, studies show that our Christmas traditions and how predictable they are actually reduce anxiety.

Christmas offers us a safe haven and a familiar rhythm in a chaotic world while building cherished memories. So yes, let's form a legacy that links children to their past. Let's all do things together that truly reinforce our core family values of faith and renew our sense of belonging. And at the same time, let's celebrate our uniquely American cultural identity.

The bottom line is that our traditions, especially our Christmas traditions, ground us in shared beliefs while helping us focus on the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas traditions serve as meaningful anchors. They bring joy, inspire unity, and renew our sense of purpose by connecting us to our past, present, and future as we reconnect with loved ones. 

Merry Christmas!