Spirit

So if you have spent even a brief few moments in the presence of my oldest daughter, you have no doubt been regaled with stories about Spirit.

Lily was introduced to this movie about a renegade mustang up at Memaw's house (you couldn't have guessed that right?).  Lily LOVES this movie.  She talks about it all the time.  She can practically give you a play by play.

It really is a super cute film about a free spirited, run with the eagles horse that fights to keep his freedom from the soldiers that want to break him, tame him, and make him work.  (OOOO I guess I should mention.....SPOILER ALERT).

He meets a sweet indian boy and his female horse Rain (you knew there had to be a love story).  The Indian and Rain free him from the Army soldiers and try to show Spirit that being in captivity doesn't mean you have to be a captive.  Spirit doesn't buy it, he wants to be free to "fly with the eagles."  The poor Indian works hard to teach him to be rideable, but discovers soon that Spirit won't ever be ridden.  So he sets Spirit free.

In a twist of fate though, Spirit gets captured again by the Army and taken to haul a train (Poor horse cannot catch a break).  Once Spirit realizes that the train he is hauling is headed towards his home, he makes a dramatic break while causing a train wreck leading to a forest fire that literally chases him down.  Inevitably his chain gets caught and who but the Indian shows up to free him.  They jump from the cliff and end up on the bank thus sealing their new friendship.  Heartwarming.

But that isn't the end.....

The army shows up again to capture him so Spirit and the Indian have to run.  Deciding that the Indian isn't bad, Spirit lets him ride him all the while defeating the pursuing soldiers. (Stay with me......I do have a point).  Spirit and the Indian ride up this trail that leads to a no way out plateau.  They are stuck.  The only way down is for Spirit to jump a chasm over the canyon and land on the other side.

So the Indian grabs a hold and Spirit starts to run.  Then, there is this intensely emotional moment.  Spirit leaps and "flys" over the canyon while the Indian spreads his arms and hollers.

It is incredibly moving and I cry every time.  The movie finishes with this precious moment between Spirit and the Indian, they hug each other and then the Indian lets Rain go with Spirit and they run off, truly free.

It's a kids cartoon, it shouldn't stir my emotions so much, but it does.  Perhaps its because it has taught me a few lessons.

1. Learning to trust someone can be the scariest thing.  You can trust and be captured and broken, or you can trust and be uplifted and freed.  You can never guarantee either, so never give up on opening yourself up to people.

2.  If you want something.....fight for it.  Every day, every hour.  Whether its your marriage, your faith, your family, your children or your sanity.  This world will always try to imprison you, fight to stay free.

3.  Freedom is a gift.  Don't take it for granted.

4.  When you are at the end of your rope, run and jump.  Sure, you may take a hard fall, but chances are you will find your wings and land on the other side.

5.  Any movie that is narrated by Matt Damon and has an entire musical score of Bryan Adams songs is bound to make a blubbering idiot out of anyone.