After 35 years on this planet, I have finally seen the movie It?Ts a Wonderful Life. I have no idea how this film escaped my attention all these years. And I even consider myself a full time movie buff! I?Tve never admitted to not seeing this classic before because I was afraid it would ruin my movie fanatic reputation.

Sure I?Tve seen the famous clips over and over. But until I watched the movie in its entirety, I never really knew the significance of George Bailey?Ts daughter?Ts words at the end of the film. She says, ?oEvery time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings.? Before, I just thought that was a cutesy saying. Now I understand that an angel named Clarence earned his wings by saving George. Very touching if you ask me.

And I must say that I bought into the message of this film big time! I can see why The American Film Institute listed it as the number one inspiring film of all time. Any one of us could be George Bailey. And maybe sometimes we need something to wake us up to how ?orich? and blessed we really are. Like many other fans of this film, I was blubbering by its end. I swore that it would never affect me emotionally because I had already seen, heard and read enough about it without actually watching it all the way through. But it happened, and it was a very pleasant surprise.

Maybe I?Tm just an easy sap. Regardless, this will be on my annual must watch list at Christmas time from now on. And my sons will not have to wait until their thirties to experience this truly inspiring and heartwarming American classic!