In The End…
MY WIFE, THE LOVELY AND INSPIRING Dawn, and I have been doing a lot of “Binge Watching” lately. We have viewed our way through the entire “Breaking Bad” series, “House of Cards,” “White Collar,” “True Detective,” and a few others.
It may be entertaining, but it’s not a way to encounter much worth thinking about later.
It’s like eating popcorn. You enjoy it, but you don’t ever sit back and talk about it later over coffee – unless you get a bit stuck in your dental work.
For the last few nights we have been plowing through the cable series, “Burn Notice.” It is a fun, action show set in Miami – not exactly a format that is either new or that you would expect to generate any philosophical sparklers.
The other evening in an episode with guest star Burt Reynolds I got a surprise. Burt was playing an old Cold Warrior retired spy being pursued by the “bad guys.” Near the end of the show, after the obligatory explosions, car chases and cutaways to bikini clad beauties on the beach, when it became obvious that Burt’s character was seriously ill, Burt uttered a line.
“All we really have in the end are our stories.”
That struck a nerve. What he said was true. In the end it is our memories that we call upon to validate our lives. Memories of what we did, where we went, who we knew, what we said and who we loved. All of our stories.
The physical powers inevitably fade and turn against us. The world seems to speed up as we slow down, and “All we have in the end are our stories.”
That is why people like me and other clichés sit around and reminisce, write autobiographies that no one will read, or churn out blogs that call upon memories as vehicles to tell their stories.
These stories, no matter how personal, are what make up our history as a people, as a species. The Anecdote is the Incident, is the Chapter, is the Account, is the History.
I never expected to get something from “Burn Notice” other than a good laugh from the surprisingly witty writing. Thought provoking insights – from “Burn Notice?” From Burt Reynolds?
Don’t try to kid a kidder, Sonny.
Now, don’t expect this to turn into some maudlin piece about dying and being remembered. This will not become an Irish Drama where everybody wails and sobs or a Russian Comedy where everybody dies. I have neither the time nor the inclination for either. I spend too much time laughing for the one and too much time breathing for the other.
Dawn and I are looking around for another target for our binge watching escapades. So, if you have any suggestions they would be most appreciated. Drama is fine, so is Comedy. But neither of us are aficionados of the so-called “reality” shows. We just find them to be so unrealistic. I don’t care if those people stumbling around in the dark ever find Bigfoot or if the Redneck Wedding comes off as planned – tractor pull and all.
Make your stories, write them down and share them. The end will come too soon.
Just ask Burt Reynolds. His passing has been reported several times over the years and he is still ticking. And still making stories I’ll bet.
Down the Hall on Your Left 