We're Not in Kansas Anymore

Toast of the day: Here's to classic movies that we never grow tired of.

On this day we celebrate the wonderful author, actor, and independent film maker, Frank L Baum.  As the "man behind the curtain" of The Wizard of Oz stories, Mr. Baum created a world so well known and well loved that it is still one of the most popular movies of all time.  Spin offs have sprouted from his original creation and everyone knows that famous line, "There's no place like home."

As Dorthy opens the front door of Auntie Em's house and steps into the world of Oz, she looks around bewildered and amazed. With only her dog Toto as something familiar she says, "...We're not in Kansas anymore."  During her time in Oz she is blessed with making wonderful friends, faces unimaginable fears, witnesses strange and beautiful sights, believes in the power of others, and eventually realizes that she has the ability in herself she's been searching for all along.

Having been born and raised in Kansas, I always felt the opening of the movie was unfair. While there is dust, and tornadoes, and farms in Kansas...there is also some great beauty in the land. Golden waves of wheat go on for miles in the early summer, and the sky is so big and blue you can actually see the curve of the horizon. Portraying it in black and white was important for the movie, but for those of us from the flat state, well, we knew better.

Like Dorthy, I left Kansas as a young woman. I journeyed to somewhere new, unknown, and unfamiliar. I didn't know it when I arrived, but I would face some of my greatest fears here. Thankfully, I would also find the blessing of great friends too.  As I look back on the last 15 years I do feel like there are times when my life was in a tornado. I had no idea where we would land and what condition we would be in once back on solid ground. I have learned that when your family is so far away that having friends by your side is important. I've learned that there is a strength inside me I never thought I would have. I have traveled and seen some of the most beautiful land and creatures God, the author of my life, has ever created. In the end though, just like Dorthy, I know that there really is no place like home.

Thank you, Mr Baum, for sharing your imagination with us. Happy Birthday!