Beyond the Norms

It’s still 1:00 pm and I only slept for about 5 hours. Still have work by 10:00 pm, but then I can no longer sleep. I was just lying on bed, till I decided to watch a movie instead, thinking that it might made me feel sleepy. While I was looking on the DVDs, I didn’t expect I would found “Message in a Bottle“. (i knew it quiet sometime now since the movie was released). But, I just loved a movie based on Nicholas Sparks‘ novel. I remember, an old friend of mine, told me about this story. And she really said that it’s nice. I knew Nicholas Sparks always has a great novel. The movie was indeed, interesting. Love has lost, but then found. It touches me somehow, it involves Drama and Romance. 5 stars to the movie and to the novel (i read half of it).

Below is my summary of the story, based on the movie.

A widowed ship builder – Garret Blake (Kevin Costner) and a divorced wife/mother/journalist who works at Chicago Tribune – Theresa Osborne (Robin Wright Penn), who found a bottle in the seashore with a 2 page message inside. She started reading it (“Dear Catherine….You Are My True North….” ..) and she felt in love with the sender (Garret Blake), even if she hasn’t met him personally. But the words and the sweetness of the thoughts made her felt something different. Out from her curiosity, she was able to tracked the place where Garret lived. They became good friends then. Till Garret went to her house and stayed there couple of days. They both have good time as well. Theresa’s son, liked Garret as well.

Till one night, after they made love, Garret discovered the bottle he threw away on the sea a quiet sometime. He then got mad with Theresa, while Theresa tried to explain how she got the bottle, till she said that she just found it, and Garret got alarmed when Theresa said about the 3 letters, for he only threw 1 bottle with 2 pages letter inside. It was then, Catherine’s letter (her wife who passed away), thrown away in the sea , 3 days before she died. After he read the letter, he asked for it and Theresa gave it to him.

Everything became dull for a couple days. Therese was wondering and blaming her self for not telling Garret everything before Garret discovered it by himself. She then said that she was a lier for Garret. Days past, till one day, Garret sent her a post mail, with the photos of the boat- Catherine (named after his wife).

Theresa came back to North Carolina to visit Garret for it was the day Garret will be testing the boat. After which, they talked and had sentimental moments. Garret’s final words were “I can’t lose you..” And Theresa replied: “then don’t..” And Theresa walked away and went back to Chicago.

That night, Garret and his father argued a bit, for his father is just a little bit concerned about their feelings. His father tried to set his mind to let go of yesterday and go for tomorrow.

Early next day, Garret sailed towards the blue waters (Chicago), since he decided to win Theresa’s heart. On his way, an unexpected incident happened: there was a slight storm and there was this couple with a daughter who were stranded in the middle of the stormy sea. He tried his best to saved the life of the couple, and yet he did it. But one sad thing about it, he went down. And never found again.

The next day, Garret’s father called Theresa, and informed about it. Theresa cried upon hearing the nightmare.

All that were left were the memories they had. The photographs, a small sailboat and the gift that Theresa gave to Garret.

Message in a Bottle Letters

Dear Catherine,

I’m sorry I haven’t talked to you in so long. I feel I’ve been lost. No bearings, no compass. I kept crashing into things, a little crazy I guess. I’ve never been lost before. You were my true north. I could always steer for home when you were my home. Forgive me for being so angry when you left. I still think some mistakes been made and I am waiting for God to take it back. But I am doing better now. The work helps me most of all, you help me. You came into my dream last night with that smile of yours that always held me like a child. All I remember from that dream is a feeling of peace. I woke up with that feeling and tried to keep it alive as long as I could.

I’m writing to tell you that I am on a journey towards that peace. And to tell you that I am sorry about many things.

I’m sorry I didn’t take better care of you so that you never spent one minute being cold or scared or sick. I’m sorry I didn’t try harder to find the words to tell you what I was feeling. I’m sorry I never fixed the screen door. I fixed it now. I’m sorry I ever fought with you. I’m sorry I didn’t apologize more. I was too proud. I’m sorry I didn’t bring you more compliments on everything you wore and everyway you fixed your hair.

I’m sorry I didn’t hold on to you with so much strength that even God couldn’t pull you away.

All my love,

G.

Dear Catherine,

I can’t spend an hour of my life without you. I repair boats, I test them… …and all this time waves of memories overwhelm me. Today I remembered when we were young… …and you left our world for a greater one. I was more scared than I recognized. I fought with fear…telling to myself that you’re going to be back …and thinking of what I would tell you the moment I saw you again. I think that I tried one hundred of versions. What have I told? Not much. I could use my mouth only to kiss you . And when you told me that you are back forever, you told me everything. Now I do it again. I think what I would tell you if you should be back…?

To all the ships on the sea and to all the ports. To all my friends, my family and strangers. “This is a message and a prayer. The message is that during my trips I found a great truth. I have already found what everybody is looking for…and few find: the person for whom I was born to love. ” Somebody like me, from Outer Banks county… …from the mysterious Atlantic. ” O person rich in simple values… …a person who learnt on his own. A port in which I am always at home. The wind, the problems… …or a little death can’t destroy this house. I pray for all the people to know such love and to recover from it. If my prayer is listened to, there won’t be guilt any more, or regrets. Neither anger. Please, God. Amen!

Dear Catherine,

My life started when I knew you and it ended when you died. I thought that keeping our memories we would both live. But I was wrong. A woman called Theresa showed me that if I opened my heart I could love again, irrespective of the intensity of suffering.

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