A Lesson I Learned from a Hobbit

Among my most favorite films of all time are those of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. And among my most favorite movie quotes (many of which are from "The Princess Bride") is the dialogue between Sam and Frodo at the end of The Two Towers.

I actually watched TTT this evening. It brought back memories of the first time I heard that stirring "pep talk" of Sam's. It rang true in light of the recent horrific events that occurred at Virginia Tech.

Frodo: I can't do this, Sam.

Sam: I know. It's all wrong. By rights we shouldn't even be here. But we are. It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn't. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something.

Frodo: What are we holding onto, Sam?

Sam: That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo... and it's worth fighting for.

Inevitably, upon hearing this I always tell myself "he's right, you know". There really is some good in this world, and it is worth fighting for.

We may never fully understand what happened that day at Virginia Tech, only that it was a day of darkness and evil. Yet we are now witnessing an outpouring of support and love for the victims and their families, and even forgiveness for the man who carried out that horrendous act. Evil may have won a battle that day, but good always wins the war.

I recently took a trip to San Diego with my family. While there, we were able to drive to the top of Mt. Soledad. I was awestruck at the panoramic views of San Diego and the curving coastline:



I was just as moved by the rows and rows of memorial plaques that covered the walls of the war veteran's memorial there:



As I looked at the pictures and read the names and dedications on each of the plaques, I felt such respect and gratitude for these men and women who knew there was good in this world worth fighting for and did just that. Many of them lost their lives doing so.

We happened to be there to witness a small flag ceremony. Attention was called to the American Flag as it was raised, and I placed my hand over my heart as I watched it wave in the strong winds blowing in from the ocean. It was a moving experience, one that I won't soon forget.

Yes, there is good in this world. And I still believe it will prevail.

Thanks, Sam. I needed that.