C.S. Lewis, along with his Oxford University faculty colleague and friend, J.R.R. Tolkien, are two of my favorite writers. They were both in the army in World War I, serving on the front lines at the Somme, and later lived through the Blitz and the terrible challenges of World War II.
Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia and Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings are allegories about faith and purpose in an uncertain world, much like the world in which we find ourselves today.
As our vital effort at social distancing continues, you may be making quite a dent in your Netflix watch list. Before you fire up “Tiger King” or “Love is Blind” for a re-watch, I have a suggestion: The Oscar-nominated short film “Heroin(e).” West Virginia University alumna Elaine McMillion Sheldon directed this glimpse into our state’s opioid problem, but the University connection is not the reason for my recommendation.
This film is a timely reminder of the uniquely resilient Mountaineer character—honed by adversity and inspired by compassion for our neighbors.
My daughter, Rebekah, recently told some friends that socially distancing is hard for me because my idea of a quiet evening at home is having 400 people for dinner.
She was exaggerating, of course. Two hundred is plenty.