Shadowlands: Lindsay Conrad

We were fortunate to be able to watch the film about the life of C.S. Lewis. It was interesting to see the pain and suffering of his reality. I seem to understand, even if just a little bit better, the way that he was able to escape what was and create a world that was different from the world he had ot suffer through each and every day.
Lewis seemed to be one who found love in unlikely places, but also struggled with figuring out how to keep them all a safe distance from his heart. I was touched by his struggle with emotional distance and the need to protect his heart since so much damage had already been done. Once destroyed, I feel as though it is an animal instinct to protect oneself for all that is left is at jeopardy if one throws his or her heart into the mix again.
I also enjoyed watching the relationship between Lewis and his brother. The fact that they were so close and loved each other without having to say it showed remnants of transcendental brotherhood that was crucial to a man who was unable to share his feelings. His brother was the one who immediately understood when Lewis was falling in love, and they never needed to say a word otherwise. He just understood him as he was.
The insight into Lewis’s life was interesting, and I wish we had the time to delve into some of his theology after discovering his fiction and then understanding his life. The transition and the deep understanding creates a wide range of possibilities for a class that could continue on for years! What an interesting man, from his novels to his views, to his theology. As guarded as he kept his life, he loved and lost and experienced pain as we all did and was able to write about it beautifully and dramatically along the way.