Be like the Grinch. Again

Last year, at the end of my column "Be like the Grinch," I described how the Grinch learned Christmas is more than gifts and feasts and Santa Claus. After the heart of the Grinch grew three times its small size, and he flies down Mount Crumpit to return all the gifts and trees and lights, the 2018 animated movie "The Grinch" (starring Benedict Cumberbatch) wraps up the story.

The Grinch and his dog Max arrive back in Whoville with all the Christmas trappings packed in the Grinch's sleigh. They come to a stop in the midst of all the Whos singing in celebration of Christmas, which arrived in spite of the Grinch having taken everything. It was an awkward scene, especially for the Grinch. He delivers a heartfelt apology. "I stole your Christmas, because I thought it would fix something that happened to me a long time ago. But it didn't." Then the Grinch and Max walk home. The Grinch has a bigger heart, but it still is empty.

Later that day, little Cindy Lou Who invites "Mr." Grinch and Max to her house for Christmas dinner. The Grinch is frightened to go. After all, he tried to destroy their Christmas! Still, he gathers up his courage and rings the doorbell. To his great surprise, he is warmly welcomed by all the townspeople in attendance.

Before the feast begins, Mr. Grinch asks to speak to the assembled guests. "I spent my entire life hating Christmas. But now I see that it wasn't Christmas I hated. It was being alone. But thanks to Cindy Lou, I'm not alone anymore." The Grinch has finally found something of lasting value to fill his empty heart.

And that is the whole point for our world today. So many people today are angry......and the real reason they are angry is they are alone. One may protest "I am not alone, look at all the groups I belong to." Well, that may be true. If the groups you belong to yell and scream at people, then love and caring is not their strong point. Imagine. Being surrounded by masses of people, yet still alone.

The Grinch found people who actually cared about him. His big heart was no longer empty. It was filled with love and caring for his fellow Whos in Whoville. And may you gain a heart that is filled abundantly with love. Be like the Grinch. Forever.

Steven Patton lives in Cedar Rapids.