"Bridge to Terabithia" and the Gift of Imagination

When it comes to viewing movies, my interests include a wide range of genres. There's very little I’m not open to trying. Last night I watched a Disney flick - yes, Disney – and loved it.

The movie, “Bridge to Terabithia,” is based on the book by Katherine Paterson. Fifth grader, Jesse, becomes Leslie's classmate when her family moves next door. Both outcasts, the two become friends. Jesse’s life changes when Leslie unlocks the world of fantasy and imagination for him and they create the make-believe kingdom of Terabithia, where they rule.

A movie made for older children and young adults, it touched on more than several tough subjects and delicately handled them well. These included: a family struggling with finances, bullies, physical abuse, and death. Sounds glum, but the story was magical and filled with hope.

The children’s imagination and the world they created reminded me of my own childhood where I dreamed of fairies, castles, and an assortment of adventures. A childhood where I escaped with my friends to a tree house hidden in the wooded area behind our homes.

Isn’t the gift of imagination wonderful?

Without it, our world would be dull – drab – boring.

You must first be able to imagine, in order to create.

Without imagination there would be no…
books with new stories.
movies with exciting adventures.
inventions to ease the way in which to accomplish a task.
beautifully designed buildings.
paintings or sculptures.
music or dance.
Internet, iPods, or telephones.

What a fantastic gift God has given us!

Dawn