The film, It’s A Wonderful Life, starring Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey has always been an inspiration in my work writing about angels. Written and filmed before I was born, it tells the story of how the bully and wealthiest man in town, Mr. Potter, tries to destroy George’s life and the town. George contemplates suicide but then along comes his guardian angel, Clarence, who shows him what life would be like if he’d never been born.
It’s a film for the ages to watch again and again. It shows how kindness and love of family and friends can thwart a bully every time. In the end George succeeds and the town and his family come together showing what love can do.
I recently had the misfortune to meet a bully who criticized my book covers and my business card. But you know what I did? I walked away head held high, triumphant, never stooping to the bully’s level. I stood firm, didn’t yell and my line at the end of the conversation said it all, “I write books in memory of my late daughter because after her death years ago, I met a man I know was an angel. His kind words comforted me.”
You see, I must have my own guardian angel like Clarence watching over me all the time. I didn’t turn into a bully myself when faced with the worst thing that could have happened to me. Instead, I made it through by writing joy and loving those in my present life. Leaving the bully behind is a great achievement for any of us. It is an honor for me to write stories of angels, where love abounds, and the bully never ever wins.
