I love this movie - most people did. And this is one of my most favorite scenes. But probably not for the reason you think. It's not because Leigh Anne reaches out to Big Mike, helps him when he's in need, although that is great. It's not because of her saucy attitude ("She's about to get her way"), although that does hit close to my heart. And it's not because of the general spirit of charity and love and generosity that's displayed in this clip.
If you've ever moved an entire house, you'll understand my pain when I tell you Derrick and I have lived in 8 houses in 7 years of marriage. We've lived in every kind of house you can imagine - old 1950's homes, super nice apartments, over an old garage... and one thing has been consistent in every house we've lived in: our ability to cram alot of stuff into a small space! Every time we move, we replay the same scene like our life is stuck in some skip on a scratched up CD.
Derrick: "Where does this go?" (Holding some very pretty, but rarely used, crystal vase)
Me: "I have no idea. Oh wait, there's a spot in the hall closet, top shelf, back left corner."
That's right, I keep a running list of empty spots in cabinets, closets, drawers, under beds, on bookshelves... anywhere we could possibly cram something else. Where can I find more space? How can I arrange things so this will fit, too?
But the truth is, as we have learned every single time we've moved, sometimes everything just won't fit. And then comes the hard part. What's most important? What gets to stay? Because sometimes you have to get rid of things to make room for others.
And that's why I love this scene in The Blindside. You can barely hear Leigh Anne say it. The camera angle is showing the scene from a distance, looking on from the trees off the side of the road. But over the sound of her clacking heels, the passing cars, and the car door opening, if you listen, you will hear Leigh Anne say: "Make room, SJ."
What an interesting bit of instruction to her son. Most of us would have said, "Scoot over." But I think she had it right. "Make room."
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