On one of my "me" days this week, I watched "Charlotte's Web" all alone on its very first screening of the day. I bought a Taters hotdog sandwich with fries, a tumblerful of Pepsi and a great big bag of Holy Kettle Corn and settled into my seat at the very center of row F. There may have been two or three other people sprinkled around me somewhere, but as far as I was concerned, this was my very own private screening of a film I've longed to see for quite a while.

Based on E.B. White's classic children's tale of an extraordinary friendship between some (seemingly) ordinary farm denizens, this "quiet" film was to be a welcome change from all the noisy complexities of everyday life. When the lights went down, the national anthem began to play. With no one around to check my actions, I still found myself jumping to my feet--the lone patriot in a darkened theatre who was determined to start her day right.

One hour and 53 minutes later, the credits rolled and the lights went back up. I was no longer alone (the theatre had begun to fill up) but I didn't mind. By this time I was already lost inside my own little bubble of emotion. I was wiping away tears and daydreaming of buying my own farm (with a red barn full of pigs, horses, geese, sheep and cows named Bitsy and Betsy) somewhere in the rural Midwest. Needless to say, the film did not disappoint. I don't think even E.B. White could have found fault in this celluloid interpretation of his literary "magnum opus", as Charlotte herself would have put it.

I remained in my seat to follow the fascinating credits (the voice cast is unbelievable) and to soak in Sarah McLachlan's soothing melodies and poignant lyrics. Her words pretty much say it all. Let me share them with you:


It’s not that usual when everything is beautiful
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

The sky knows when its time to snow
You don’t need to teach a seed to grow
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

Life is like a gift they say
Wrapped up for you everyday
Open up and find a way
To give some of your own

Isn’t it remarkable?
Like every time a raindrop falls
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

Birds in winter have their fling
And always make it home by spring
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

When you wake up everyday
Please don’t throw your dreams away
Hold them close to your heart
'Cause we are all a part
Of the ordinary miracle

Do you want to see a miracle?

It seems so exceptional
Things just work out after all
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

The sun comes up and shines so bright
It disappears again at night
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

It’s just another ordinary miracle today


P.S. I have found my epitaph. Please remember to have the last two lines of the book (and the film) etched on my tombstone when the time comes. Just substitute "Charlotte" with my name.