Thursday, June 12, 2008

Saving the world with a cookie

Did you see the film Stranger than Fiction (2006)? If not, I recommend it, particularly if you are having a no-good-very-bad-day. I won't get into the plot because this isn't a movie review, but there is a scene where Will Ferrell is being asked by an adversarial baker if his mother ever made him cookies as a child, when he was having a bad day. His reply is that his mother never really cooked.

The baker had made him those cookies as a peace offering. Through the conversation, we learn that the baker gave up law school at Harvard to save the world through baking. It makes sense in the context of the film and it makes sense to me (more sense than this post, I'm sure). There are things in this world that just make life a little more tolerable when the sun isn't shining on you. Warm from the oven cookies, hugs from people who care, somebody else making dinner, smilie faces in ink on your hand, a good nap, fresh and ice cold milk, a Judy Garland movie...

Cookies can save the world. I believe it. Some cookies are better than others but the best are made simply, with what you have on hand, when you need them most. The film ends with a good quote; "As Harold took a bite of Bavarian sugar cookie, he finally felt as if everything was going to be ok. Sometimes, when we lose ourselves in fear and despair, in routine and constancy, in hopelessness and tragedy, we can thank God for Bavarian sugar cookies..." Or Peanut Butter cookies as the case may be.

3 comments:

Speck said...

Cookies are good for the soul. I agree, the simple, homemade ones are best. Some may be a little gooey, some a little crispy, some a little too brown, but the ones made with love beat storeboughten every time.

Doralong said...

A really good cookie can soothe many an ill.

Greyhound Girl said...

I really appreciate this post. It touched me... long story as to why, but this is good. Thanks. I think I'm gonna go have a cookie.