Movies have been an important part of our activities during our marriage. They have been especially important during the seven years since Kate’s diagnosis. For at least a year now, it has become much harder for her to enjoy them. I continue to try to find something that might appeal to her, and sometimes I am successful. The last one she enjoyed was a recent one, Darkest Hour. I had hesitated to try it, but when I told her what it was about, she wanted to see it. I think it must have been impossible for her to follow. I am sure that she understood that it was about Churchill and World War II. I am also confident that she could sense the drama involved. These are the things that must have caused her to like the film.
Today at lunch I checked to see if there might be another film that we could try. I saw that one of our theaters was showing The Philadelphia Story with Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and Jimmy Stewart. Knowing that Kate has always liked old movies and each of those stars, I asked if she would like to go. She jumped on it. I bought the tickets right then. We finished our meal and went directly to the theater.
It is a film that is certainly dated, but it is also a classic. It came out in 1940, the year I was born. I thought it was fun to see these stars at such an early stage of their careers. Several times during the movie, I heard Kate yawn audibly. I didn’t think that was an encouraging sign. It wasn’t until we got in the car that I asked what she thought of the movie. She said, “I don’t even know what it was about.” I told her she was a good sport, that I appreciated her trying movies even if they didn’t turn out to be winners. She said, “Well, you can’t expect every one to be hit.” So true. I am finding that the hits are fewer and farther between these days. We still have plenty of things that entertain us, but I hate losing something that has been so important in the past.
