Just last week, I watched Allan Loeb’s “Collateral Beauty”, a movie released 5 years ago. The movie, in all aspects, was put together very well as you really cannot expect less as it featured quite an ensemble cast with big names. (Come on, Will Smith?? Kate Winslet?? Helen Mirren?? Talk about a powerhouse cast) More than that, the film encounters three of what I deem the most valuable things in life — Time, Death, and Love.
I will be discussing some parts of the film so if you haven’t watched it yet (why tho????), you can just come back after. Wouldn’t want to spoil such a great movie for you.
Although there were so many lines that could probably resonate with you throughout the film, what remained with me, even after a week from watching it, was a line by Helen Mirren who played Death, in a sequence that not many people could have paid attention to.
“[But] Death is so much more vital than Time. Death gives Time all of its value.”
When this was said in the film having Love, Time, and Death as human manifestations, Death was just casually trying to prove that her role was far more important than the other two. Looking beyond the surface and adding just a little more context to what she said, it really makes sense especially with what’s going on in the world right now. I don’t think that I’m facing Death sooner (or at least I very much hope I’m not anywhere near that yet), but to some reason, I resonate with that one line.
I have already established it within me that I have to respect time. That what is meant for me will eventually make its way to me, one way or another. This mindset has become so easy to reiterate to myself time and time again whenever I feel left behind. But while it is great to be hopeful, it is also necessary to be realistic.
Growing up, I had this close relationship with my grandparents. I call them “Nanay” and “Tatay”. As far as I can remember, when I started dreaming, my motivation was always to give them the life they undoubtedly deserve. One silver lining in this pandemic is that I got to spend more time with them and to be able to assist them in whatever way they need since people their age are not allowed to go out as much. However, being with them more often, I cannot help but notice how time flies so fast and how they’re not getting any younger. To add up to that, they have been giving me pieces of advice as to what I should do when they leave this world. So as much as I have hope for my future, as much as I believe that in time I will be where I’m meant to be, as much as I work toward my success, I genuinely hope and pray that I get to that moment with my Nanay and Tatay by my side.
But truth be told, I really can not do something about it. No one can, actually. For now, all I know is that the time we have now is a gift and is abundant. So every time this thought creeps into my mind, I try to clear my head space with a quote from the same film,
“Just make sure you notice the collateral beauty.”
