Over the weekend I spontaneously rented and watched Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea. It was wonderful and as always it made me want to laugh and cry or in this case cry from laughing. If you haven’t seen the movie please go do so now before you read this post. While I have always seen the movie (and read the books) as a glorious romantic love story this time other things stood out to me. Here is some of what captured my attention….
1. True unconditional love can give a spirit wings to fly on. Anne is determined to be happy and cheerful no matter what but she blossoms with Mathew’s gentle and quite faithfulness to just be there for her. Puff sleeved dresses can win a heart too. And those that we know have loved us never really leave us because love changes us.
2. Prickly hearts can be won over with determination, a feisty spirit, and a whole lot of care. Yet, be cautious never to let the negative people around you dampen your dreams. “Katherine Brooke whether you know it or not what you need is a darn good spanking!” (Anne to the principle she works with…) In the end people have to want to be helped…we just need to be there when they are ready. “Now you can go through the motions of telling me how delighted you are and how I’ll have a wonderful time.” “I AM delighted… but as to a wonderful time… that will depend entirely on YOU, Katherine.”
3. Kindred spirits and bosom friends might not be as hard to find if you are willing to look for them. You never know who might make a wonderful friend so make sure to extend warmth to those you come in contact with. “Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It’s splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.” When you find the Dianna to your Anne nurture it and don’t take it for granted.
4. A love of learning and imagination and can take you far and teachers that encourage it are priceless. The ones that allow you to make mistakes but cheer you on to grow are wise indeed. “Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?”
“Isn’t it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive–it’s such an interesting world. It wouldn’t be half so interesting if we know all about everything, would it? There’d be no scope for imagination then, would there?”
And some extra quotes because this movie and the books are just filled to the brim with perfect ones! Feel free to comment below what parts of this movie/book thrilled you!
“Look at that sea, girls–all silver and shadow and vision of things not seen. We couldn’t enjoy its loveliness any more if we had millions of dollars and ropes of diamonds.”
“After all,” Anne had said to Marilla once, “I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string.”
“He said it would turn my hair a beautiful raven black!”
“You’re not eating anything,” said Marilla sharply, eying her as if it were a serious shortcoming. Anne sighed. “I can’t. I’m in the depths of despair. Can you eat when you are in the depths of despair?”
“Drrrrrrrenched. I said drrrrrrenched!”
Well, misselaini, you are my girl and definitely a “kindred spirit”. What adventure awaits us today?
You’re my best girl too mommy and definitely a kindred spirit! Hmm every day with you is a fun adventure! Even if it’s just listening to old voice mail messages. 😉
This post made me laugh…especially that last quote, oh I can just hear her voice in my head!! The Anne with an E books and movies are some of my favourites. She never fails to make me laugh (but also to think). Isn’t the way that Anne deals with Katherine Brooke fantastic? Anne doesn’t run away from Katherine’s negativity and pricklishness, instead she showers her with love and enthusiasm and joyfulness. “Now you can go through the motions of telling me how delighted you are and how I’ll have a wonderful time.” “I AM delighted… but as to a wonderful time… that will depend entirely on YOU, Katherine.” That line is brilliant. A while back I was struggling with significant discontentment and was complaining to my cousin about how I wasn’t what I wanted out of a situation and she quoted Anne to me: “It’s not what the world holds for you. It’s what you bring to it.” That changed the way I view life quite significantly 🙂 And I couldn’t pick a favourite moment…I think every part thrilled me!
Haha good! Yes, that last one had me chuckling. 😉 I agree that Anne totally has a magical way with everyone. It’s amazing what love can do. I know it’s cliche but it’s true….
I’m so sorry to hear you were struggling but I am delighted to hear that you got a new perspective out of the deal. 🙂
L.M. Montgomery is one of my most favorite authors and I grew up on the Anne of Green Gables movies and books. They are still incredibly near and dear to me to this day! There is something about Anne that is so relatable, her struggles and her triumphs resonate with me. There is a quote from the Anne of Avonlea movie that I can identify with particularly. Anne says, “I feel as though someone’s handed me the moon and I don’t exactly know what to do with it.” I graduated from high school last month and in the midst of so many unknowns, this quote describes completely what I have felt. It isn’t really a quote that teaches, or inspires, or humours us, in a way it almost states the obvious. But to hear someone else describe so perfectly how you feel, it is a beautiful kind of confirmation that you aren’t alone in the world and you will, in fact, make it through after all.
xoxo, Alesha
They are classics and as such they can be enjoyed at any time in life. Plus there is much to be learned from her… I think you got it exactly right. She is quite easy to relate with.
What a beautiful feeling. Or as Anne would probably say “delicious”. No, you are not alone Alesha. xxx
Anne of Green Gables is one of my all-time favorites! I love that last quote too.
“I wouldn’t want to marry anybody who was wicked, but I think I’d like it if he could be wicked and wouldn’t.”
“Fortunately for you, Josie, the only thing you’ve ever had to wear twice is a sour expression.”
“Oh Anne, I could never love anyone but you.” (I <3 <3 <3 Gilbert. 😉 )
"She has the most delicious baby." "You talk as if it were something to eat!"
And on and on it could go. I think I'm going to be watching Anne again soon. 🙂
I LOVE THOSE ONES!!! Haha Those first two though…. 😉