Gone with the Wind – is still a trigger.

      If you are like me, there are certain words or pictures, people or places that trigger the memories of someone you know or knew. One of the biggest triggers in my life is the movie Gone with the Wind. My mother absolutely loved this movie. She knew every character, and what was more amazing was what she knew about the actors who played those characters.
      She once said to me, when we were just sitting around, not even talking about the movie, “Do you know what the name of the horse was that Scarlett’s father rode in the scene where he fell?” I must have looked at her as if she had three heads, but she just smiled and informed me, that the horse’s name was Silver, the same horse that the Lone Ranger used. Now who would know that? Right?
      My mother would, that is who. (Just to be sure that my memory is serving me well, I went on line and sure enough). . . . [The white horse ridden by O'Hara was also used as the Lone Ranger's horse Silver in 1938].
      But Mom didn’t need to do a Google search; all she had to do was search her memories. I remember kidding her so much about her favorite character in the movie, Scarlett O’Hara. I called her a ‘spoiled little snit’. Oh, my, you would have thought I had just insulted the Queen!

This was the conversation that took place instantly after my remark,

     “Oh, no! . . . she wasn’t a snit. You shouldn’t call her that. Scarlett was a good girl. She couldn’t help it. She was raised to be a southern belle. She was fun and mischievous. And sometimes just naughty. How could you not love her?”

     In that moment of instant defense of her beloved Scarlett, I realized something about the connection to another character and my mother. If you know about this film, you know that Scarlett chased after Ashley Wilkes relentlessly. Shamelessly is more like it. She had been seen kissing Ashley earlier on the day of Ashley’s birthday. Of course, Scarlett wants to pout and avoid the public ridicule she knows she has coming for her actions, by pretending to be ill and not go to the party.

     But good ole Rhett is not having it. He picks out a red, low-cut tight fitting gown, throws it at her, and tells her she is going to face her accusers. Then to really put the whip to her, he leaves her at the front door of the Wilkes home to face the onslaught of disapproval –alone.

     The knock comes at the door, and you can see all the tight-lipped old prudes already at the party rolling their eyes because they just can’t believe that that little hussy Scarlett O’Hara would actually be showing up at the party.

    Here is where this scene makes its lasting impression on me –of all times.

     Dear sweet Melanie . . . . God rest her soul, goes to the door, and instead of the reaction that everyone is waiting for, gives us all something to think about.
    “Oh, look everyone, it’s Scarlett. Oh, Scarlett how lovely you look tonight. Come in and help me welcome my guest.”

     This is not the reaction that everyone else in the room would have used. I can remember all the times I watched that movie with my mother knowing that scene was coming and feeling the same way.
     Two very different characterizations. As polar opposite as they can be. I’d watch Olivia de Havilland and think what an incredible actress she was. Her words, her mannerisms, tone of voice, and gestures were all believable. There was not a trace of any condemnation toward Scarlett. She played it beautifully. Of course, even though Scarlett and Melanie are fictional, the emotions they evoke are real. It got to be an amusing time for she and I whenever I walked in and found her watching, yet again, Gone with the Wind.

     I’d attempt my best southern belle voice, pat her hand and say, “Oh, look Mama, it’s Scarlett”.

     These three things bring back memories about my mother, she loved cats, she always carried her purse with her no matter where she went, (had to be white in the summer), and that she dearly loved Scarlett O’Hara.
     Mama was cremated. When the time was right, on one beautiful sunny Florida morning my sister and I ceremoniously escorted her ashes, a little stuffed kitten, her white purse, and a copy of Gone with the Wind to her final resting place in the front yard.

     It was one of the rightest things I have ever done.