"Steel Magnolias"~~the 1989 film that tells the bittersweet and heartwarming story of Shelby (played by Julia Roberts)~~a young woman, about to marry~~just carving out a new life for herself away from her protective Mom, M'Lynn Eatonten (played superbly by Sally Field). The 2 are joined by their friends, Truvy~~Annelle~~Ouisa~~and Claree (played by Dolly Parton, Darryl Hannah, Shirley MacLaine, and Olympia Dukakis, respectfully)~~in Truvy's hair salon, in their little town of Natchitoches, Louisiana~~where they discuss everything from Shelby's impending wedding ceremony~~to how to tell if a man is gay or not. It's witty~~funny~~and sad~~one that Kylene and I shared as being one of our favorites.
It's said that the name, "Steel Magnolia"~~describes a southern lady~~delicate on the outside~~yet with an inner strength of "steel". "I would rather have 30 minutes of wonderful~~than a lifetime of nothing special~" (Shelby to her Mom on the announcement she was pregnant. She later lost her battle with the kidney complications, resulting from her diabetes, and the birth of her only child). I think I liked the way M'Lynn said it~~as she and her friends stood at Shelby's graveside, just after the services had ended~~and M'lynn was telling how they'd finally made the decision to turn off the Life Support machine. She said, ".....And finally we realized there was no hope~~We turned off the machine~~Drum left~~he couldn't take it~~Jackson left~~I find it amusing~~men are supposed to be made out of steel or something~~"
I don't know about men being made out of steel~~I do know many women though~~who seem to have that outer beauty~~like that of the delicate magnolia~~yet have a surprising inner strength~~a reserve from which they not only draw from~~but have the inate ability~~to give some to others~~and yet~~never miss a beat.
Kylene was that way~~her inner beauty was seen~~and known~~by all who met her~~and were Blessed by that inner beauty and strength she had. She gave of herself~~when one would think there was no more to give. I was told~~By a young woman who'd met Kylene the summer of 1999~~at Glorietta, New Mexico~~at the Christian Camp they'd both attended as Youth Counselors~~that Kylene was the one person this young woman met~~whom she was able to call "Friend." She related to me how Kylene had opened her heart to her~~allowing her to open her own heart and set aside her shyness~~if only for a time.
"Steel Magnolias" may be the name of a movie~~A deeply moving one at that~~But it also describes one of the few people I've ever been Blessed to have in my Life~~my daughter. I have a friend~~who oft-times has described his own invalid mother to me~~as being "too fragile" or "Delicate"~~yet he's been amazed at how she has withstood surgeries and other invasive procedures that have kept her going. I told him that she had an inner strength within her~~that would see her through~~and that~~whether he knew it or not~~he was drawing his own strength from her.
I'm sure you know a beautiful "Steel Magnolia" in your own Life~~remember to treat them gently~~tenderly~~and hold them dear to your heart~~For you never know when that "Steel Magnolia" may finally~~wither and die. And yet~~you will have gained something from them~~and "That's as it should be~~Life goes on."
Flower Images courtesy of The Santa Lady
Music: "Steel Magnolias" Soundtrack (Georges Delerue)
