The Notebook

I finally watched the movie, “The Notebook.” I know it’s been out since 2004, but for some reason I missed it. If you haven’t seen it don’t read any further, go rent it and then come back. The following contains the ending of the movie.

The movie begins with an elderly gentleman named, Duke and an elderly lady in a nursing home. Duke reads to her a story about two young people in love, named Noah and Allie. We get to hear about how they met. We learn that they were separated by Allie’s mother who didn’t approve of Noah’s financial class. It’s obvious that Duke has affection for this elderly lady. As the love story unfolds, you find out that Duke is really Noah and the elderly lady is Allie. The sad part is that Allie doesn’t remember Noah because she has severe Alzheimer’s disease.

After a seven year separation, Allie comes back to Noah. He promises her that he would love her forever, even though it may not be easy. Fighting is okay because love trumps turmoil. The doctors and Noah’s children tell him that there is no hope for reaching Allie. Her disease is progressive and she will never know who he is. Noah never gave up; instead he lived at this nursing home to be near Allie and to read to her the story of their lives. You find out that the story was written by Allie with an inscription, “Read to me and I’ll come back to you.” His devotion to her and faith that she would come back to him moved me to tears. There was a very brief moment when she realized the story was about her and him before she had a terrible set back. The ending nearly did me in. They died together in their sleep.

This was a story of love that never gave up. This was a story of hope and faith in love that is eternal. Tom asked me what made me cry. He wanted to know which character I related to. You know in this story it didn’t matter. I could see either one us never giving up on the other one regardless of what doctors may say.

Love that lasts a lifetime is always a gripping story. It grips us if we don’t have it and it grips us if we do. I’m blessed for having found that kind of love. I know that I’m not alone because there are many out there who have been blessed to find their “Noah.”

Lord I thank You for Tom. I thank You Father for Your love.

© Nadine Z. 2007