Every Little Thing by April Jeppson

 

Our family just finished watching “Lord of the Rings.” It took us almost a month to get through all the movies, and it was so worth it. It started by me wanting to watch something “epic,” and when Brian suggested it, we just stared at each other for a moment — doing that thing that parents do, trying to recall all the scenes and wondering if it was appropriate for our children to watch. I think we came to the conclusion that the first film would be OK. The kids loved it so much that I didn’t even consider if the other films would be too scary or not — we just watched them. I don’t regret my decision.

There are many epic lines from the movies. One of my favorites is toward the end, when Sam and Frodo are finally climbing Mount Doom. If you’re unfamiliar with the story, Frodo has to carry this ring across Middle Earth and only he has the ability to resist it’s evil. Sam is his friend and sees how great of a burden carrying this ring is to Frodo. His personality is dulling, he’s forgetting things, and at this point, his friend can hardly walk he’s so tired and worn down from the evil of the ring.

They are resting for a moment whilst lava is spurting out the volcano behind them and Sam is talking about their homeland and how beautiful it is this time of year. He talks about the flowers and how he’d love to have a strawberry right about now. Frodo says, “No Sam. I can’t recall the taste of food … nor the sound of water nor the touch of grass. I’m naked in the dark, with nothing. No veil between me and the ring of fire. I can see him with my waking eyes.” At this point Sam can truly see how downtrodden his friend is, to which he replies, “Come on Mr. Frodo. I can’t carry it for you. But I can carry you!” He then proceeds to throw Frodo over his shoulder and push his way up the mountain.

I think the reason I love this scene so much is because it’s relatable. Sometimes we are Frodo — asked to carry a heavy burden, or simply stressed out and exhausted to the max. Sometimes we are Sam — reaching out to our suffering friends and offering whatever aid we can think of that might help them.

What a true statement of friendship to recognize that even though the burden wasn’t Sam’s to carry, he could still do something to help his friend. It made me think of all the ways we can carry our friends when we can’t carry their heavy load.

Life presses all kinds of burdens on each of us, some light but others relentless and heavy. People struggle every day under burdens that tax their souls. Many of us struggle under such burdens. They can be worrisome, oppressive and emotionally and physically exhausting.

How many times have I been emotionally exhausted to the point where I didn’t know if I could get out of bed. Or so sad that I couldn’t hear the people speaking who were right in front of me. Perhaps the death of a loved one, or the death of a dream — thankfully, a Sam, or many Sams, were there to help.

They couldn’t take away the sadness or the stress, but they could hold my hand though it. Someone to visit with and distract me. Someone to bring over a meal. Someone to remind me that there is still good in the world. Someone to watch my screaming toddler or go for a walk with me. Someone to take me out for a pedicure. Someone to eat lunch with and not cast any judgments about how unclean my kitchen was. All these little acts, they all helped carry me.

Sam was willing to lay down his life for his friend. It’s a dramatic scene that evokes dramatic feelings. Real life is rarely as epic. Bringing your friend a treat, helping them with a project or simply listening more than you speak might seem insignificant. There’s no majestic music or volcano exploding in the background. However, I believe that friendship is the true light of Earendil.

“And for you, Frodo Baggins, I give you the light of Earendil our most beloved star. May it be a light to you in dark places when all other lights go out.”

Albert Lean April Jeppson is a wife, mom, coach and encourager of dreams.