I am thankful for Bilbo Baggins

Right before coming home for the semester, I went with my RA staff to see The Hobbit. First of all, the movie was fantastic. I love how they used so many details and specifics, of course when you are making a single book into three parts you have to use details. But anyway, the movie was wonderful.

In that montage of wonderful one liners and monologues, one line stuck with me over all others. At one point, the dwarves begin to question why Bilbo is even on this journey with them. What does he care? After all, he only misses his home. How could he understand? At that point, Bilbo steps forward and delivers this speech…

"I often think of the shirt. See, that's where I belong, that's home. You don't have one. It was taken from you. But I will help you take it back, if I can."

As I heard this, tears began to prick my eyes. I knew it meant a lot to me, though at the moment I couldn’t figure out why. When I got home, I realized why that line meant so much to my heart. As I walked through my home, so incredibly changed for the better, I realized that my life has been filled with Bilbo’s, and I am the dwarves.

I have been attacked by something unexpected that drove me from my home.

I am displaced.

I am sleeping to and fro, no place permanent to rest my head at the moment.

I am tired, and have had to fight this battle to gain my home again.

And like the dwarves, I couldn’t do it without Bilbo.

People in my family’s life have given of themselves to help us rebuild. Time, money, meals, a temporary home… So many have given that I could never adequately repay them. I could never say thank you enough. Like Bilbo, they have done what they can so that we too may have a home.

In a time like this, I have never been more thankful for the Bilbo Baggins of the world.