Places in the Heart
A memorable movie scene I have often thought about is the last moments of Places in the Heart, released in October 1984. The film stars Sally Field as Edna Spalding, a determined widow working hard to save her farm during the Great Depression. The final scene is haunting and beautiful, and it has stayed with me for decades. It offered me solace at the time I could not quite understand why.
The camera draws us into the final scene. A congenial congregation sits in the church pews while a choir sings the hymn “In the Garden.” As the camera scans the room, we realize many town folk have passed, including Edna’s husband, Royce Spalding, who was killed in a tragic accident at the beginning of the film, and Moses, a transient worker played by Danny Glover, who brought hope and purpose into Edna’s life, the blind Mr. Will (John Malkovich) and many other townspeople. They have all touched Edna’s life. The line between the living and dead blurs in this scene, reminding us that much of the fabric of our lives is comprised of those who came before us and had an influence or shared the same time and space.
I was struck by the powerful message that the people we love never truly leave us. As a young woman who had yet to lose her parents, I found solace. Now, from an older age perspective, I find truth and peace. We long for them to be with us, and yet they are in our hearts and memories.They live within us, entwined in our daily moments and reflections.
The movie’s writer and director, Robert Benton, won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 1984. He drew inspiration from his own experiences growing up in a small Texas town during the Depression and the people whose stories he knew and heard about while growing up.
As writers and keepers of our family history, we may not always remember or have access to every detail or know the complete truth about the lives of those we love—family members, mentors, or friends who shaped our lives. But we can still tell their stories. We know their essence—motivations, adventures, challenges, triumphs, and failures. Through our stories, we can preserve their legacy, presenting them in ways that teach and inspire future generations.
We can fictionalize, embellish, and reimagine aspects of their lives, creating stories that capture the essence of who they were. Whether we write autobiographical fiction, family memoirs, or historical accounts, these narratives honor those who came before us and keep their spirit alive. If we know the factual details of their lives, let’s take the time to document them.
Edna Spalding’s character is more than just a fictional portrayal—she embodies the strength, resilience, and perseverance of a grandmother or great-grandmother from a time long past. She reminds me of my mother-in-law, who grew up on the family farm during the Depression. Those times shaped her from her frugality and never letting anything go to waste to her straightforward manner in which she met all of life's challenges. Her legacy lives on through the stories we know about her and the character of many of her descendants.
I am not alone in keeping those I love close to my heart. Our loved ones remain with us, just as Edna’s family and friends linger in that church pew, bound together in a shared existence.
Your story is your legacy, and your legacy is your story. Sometimes, the memories we do not witness firsthand become our legacy passed down through generations of storytelling. I encourage you to write your story and share your legacy. There is someone out there—maybe a grandchild or a future great-grandchild—who would love to read it and find inspiration in your words.