Shine Together

The Conversation - iPad with Procreate

When something happens, it can leave a trace of itself behind. Say like, if someone burns toast. Well, maybe things that happen leave other kinds of traces behind. Not things that anyone can notice, but things that people who "shine" can see. 

- Dick Hallorann, The Shining, 1980

Stanley Kubrick's film version of The Shining glossed over the family dynamics and more emotional elements in Stephen King's novel, and that's a shame. But, in spite of the slasher theatrics and cartoony performances by Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall, it's still visually impressive and has some nice moments in it.

There was a 1997 mini-series that was a bit more faithful to the book. Unfortunately, it went too much to the other extreme and came off like an ultra-sappy Hallmark Moment-of-Truth movie.

The above iPad portrait features my favorite scene from the Kubrick version. Hotel chef Dick Hallorann converses with little Danny Torrance, played wonderfully by Scatman Crothers and Danny Loyd, respectively. A small child who is stuck in a situation he has trouble understanding is comforted by an adult who offers advice and lets him know he is not alone. In all incarnations of the story, the character of Dick Hallorann is a kind, compassionate and brave soul.

Sometimes, when you are small and feel disconnected from everyone around you, it means the world when another person makes an effort to offer kindness and help you find the strength within.