The REAL hero of "It's a Wonderful Life"

I just got this email from a friend who is in the midst of devastating divorce. Wow, it made me stop and think so much I thought it was worth sharing with my readers! Have you ever stopped to ponder about who is the REAL hero of the Christmas favorite “It’s a Wonderful Life”? Here’s one man’s view…
“Hey, Victorya:

I just had a thought I needed to vent to someone. I hope you don't mind. I watched "It's a Wonderful Life" with my kids last night. I make them watch it every year. As I was watching the movie, I couldn't help notice that George Bailey is pretty cranky throughout the movie when the pressure of everything gets to him, especially when the money gets lost. My daughter even commented on it. I found myself defending George because I related very well to George and the pressure he felt. I, too, have been cranky when the pressure of my wife’s outrageous behavior and reactions to our financial hardship got to me.
I couldn't help but wonder what a different movie it would have been if Bailey’s wife, Mary, had decided she would be happier with the plastics guy and left George. Instead, she stepped up to the plate and was strong when he was weak. She rallied the troops to begin praying (what ultimately saved his life) and bailed him out by raising the money they needed. She never stopped seeing the fact that he was a good man, even when he wasn't acting that way. I couldn't help but be envious of George and the good and faithful wife that he chose. I realized, perhaps for the first time, that she was just as much the hero of the movie as he was.

Victorya, I don't know if you can use this to inspire women, but I wanted to pass the thoughts along. I hope and pray that the ideal of a Mary Bailey is not simply something movies are made of. There’s got to be more Mary Bailey’s out there?”
Your friend… a discouraged "George Bailey"


So ladies, don’t you want to be a Mary Bailey?” You know, a woman who will rally the troops to pray for your man when the going gets tough? One who steps up and is the strong one when your man is weak? And a woman who focuses on the good inside your man even when he’s so cranky you’d prefer to slap him? I pray that that is how my husband sees me and if I haven’t achieved her yet, may I in 2008!
Victorya Rogers