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I'm the Last One in West Virginia

I just got done watching “We Are Marshall”. Around here we just call it “the Marshall movie”.

I am probably the last person in West Virginia to watch this movie. I wanted to while it was at the theater. Somehow I didn’t. I bought the movie as soon as it came out. It’s been sitting with the rest of my movies, in somewhat good company, but I just couldn’t do it.

I knew that they died. I know that we have to go on. It’s just hitting to close to home.

Yes, I came to tears several times. But I laughed a lot more than I thought I would. And I was happy.

That was my home up there on that screen. I know those mountains. And that train, I heard “my” train several times. That same train runs just houses away from me, and that is exactly the sound I hear while falling asleep, or sitting on my back porch pretending to work on the computer. (I’m really staring into space or cheering internally for my old dog who barks for no reason – it makes him so happy.) That train is the soundtrack behind most of my life, but that’s the first time I heard it from my TV.

The extras were people from around here. My friend Bob was in there several times, but I quit looking for him because the story grabbed me so fast. I know those bridges. I know those buildings at Marshall. I’ve stood on that field, sat by that fountain, laughed in that student union.

That was us on that screen. This song is from the wrong era, but I heard it in my head while I watched. *Click*

I dragged my feet about watching the movie because it hits too close to home in too many ways. Yes, there are tears on my face, but I got more than I expected out of it.

I leaned that grief is messy, not just for me but for everyone. I learned that we keep playing anyway, because really it’s not about winning, sometimes it’s just about going on.

We’re supposed to go on. That’s why we’re still here. We don’t have to understand and we don’t have to like it, we just have to do it.

We’ll get better at it as we go along. It’s just how it is.

It took me too long to watch the movie, but I’m so glad I did.

Posted by Sarah Cooper on 11/06/2007 06:41 AM

Comments (15)

we are marshall

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15 Comments on I'm the Last One in West Virginia

NOV

2007

Beautiful Country and a heart touching movie....

It is a wonderful movie, but I waited along time to watch too. I still cried. But, the town overcame and I took that message away.

I saw the movie last Christmas day. I knew the plane crash was coming and I was dreading it, but they handled it very tastefully. Still, I gasped and cried. I just wish the movie had done better in the box office. It's such a good story.

Love, Mom

Sarah, I don't remember the crash, I don't know what year all of this took place, (I bet I was in Hawaii at the time) and I've yet to see the movie, but I do want to. Now, I want to see it even more because it is part of a new friends life and her home. I saw the previews when it first came out and thought geeze when did this happen? Boy, it looks like a good story. I'll watch it soon!

Sarah, we all have things that happen in our lives...you feel that you can't go on, but you do. I love stories like this one, because it shows the human spirit and our resilience. This post was beautifully written, by the way. Thanks for sharing.

Sarah,

Maybe the best Movie ever!! It was great, and Sad at the same time...

Tom Weiss

Sarah, I never saw this movie but it does look good. By the way I like the new pic.. WOW...:-)

How sad. I didn't watch the movie but recall the news. A town or thoughtful citizen of that town will never forget.

I too have not seen the movie but will plan to do so soon and will think of you and your train and your town when I do.

Sarah - I remember reading a previous post of yours that included the train, and I thought it was very cool. I think you were talking to someone (perhaps Sally) on the phone, and the train sounds were in the background. We have a train here that I hear if the wind is right, and it always makes me feel relaxed. We also have a couple of owls that make my wife feel secure for some odd reason. I realize that none of this has anything to do with the movie (which I haven't seen). I like the fact that you call it "the Marshall movie". Here in Austin, we have several quarries that produce gorgeous white limestone that is used for home construction. When people visit, they comment on how pretty "Austin stone" is, but we just call it "stone".

I just thought of something else. I have never seen "Friday Night Lights", even though much of it is filmed right here in Pflugerville, where I live (suburb of Austin). Most people probably assume that I am part of the production (kidding).

Jason - Yes, I was talking to Sally. :o) We have owls here too, and I love the sound. You never have to talk about my post in the comments if you feel like going off topic, you know. I feel like I own that post space at the top, but this area down here is shared. I'm not about to tell you what to do in your comments, unless you get rude or spammy! (Can't see you doing either here, so you're good!)

Diane - Hearing my train from the TV was the weirdest thing. It's on the wrong side, felt like they moved the tracks! If my husband gets the surround sound he's been wanting, I'll be really confused, won't I?

Lenn - I was a baby when it happened and I live about a half hour away, but it's something everyone my age kind of grew up with. I'm glad the movie was made, and I'm glad they did such a good job of it. I know the director McG and the actors were all totally beloved while they were here. No bad behavior -- it was good to hear.

Matt - Thank you, on both counts! ;o)

Tom - It was hard for me to watch it just as a movie. I was distracted so much by the setting that I'm surprised the story touched me as deeply as it did.

Kelly - I'm learning that just going on is one of the biggest triumphs in life. We live in a world of unsung heroes who just keep going.

Lysa - It is certainly worth a watch anyway, but if you're curious at all about where I live, that's it! We don't dress like that anymore (lol!) but all the buildings and so on ... that's real. I think the diner is fictional, but the Keith Albee theater, the Marshall Buildings, the football field ... and when Red is working on a shed and they show the town over his shoulder ... that's HOME.

Mom - I told Jay that if we see Matthew Fox anywhere near a plane we're about to board, we're not going.

Missy - To see a whole town grieve and learn to go on, that was really something. And from what I've heard, so much of that was true to life, too.

Dan - It is gorgeous here, and with our fall leaves we're at our very best right now.

Ah if you were a baby, I was a young girl so I wasn't in Hawaii, it was way before then.. no wonder the clothes have changed! :) I do intend to see it!

Thanks for the post. It is on my 'rental' list.

I just never seem to get to that list. Kid movies dominate around here.

NOV

2007

Tom - This one is worth the time. Put the kids to bed early (hey, it's dark out!) and watch your own movie.

Lysa - I hope you do! I'll be watching it again! :o)

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