I’m writing this from the observation bench at my kids’ swim lessons. We’ve been going once a week since September and they’re making good progress. This is important to me, partly because The Geek and I like to scuba dive and so we vacation a lot near water. But also because I’ve watched the previews to a movie that’s out now called The Impossible. Have you seen the preview for this? If not, I’ve included it below so you can take a look. Be warned, it’s not for the faint of heart.

 

The Impossible trailer

 

If you didn’t want to watch the preview and haven’t heard of the movie, here’s the run down: It’s the true story of a Spanish family who happened to be vacationing in Thailand during the tsunami in 2004.

Now, I’m pretty much a movie trailer junky. It’s my favorite procrastination technique. I almost never make it to the actual movies, so trailers are a way to get my movies fix in five minute chunks. If it’s up on iTunes and it’s not obviously a horror movie, I’ve probably watched the preview for it.

 

Cut to last fall when I’m at the computer, innocently procrastinating on iTunes. I load up the trailer for The Impossible. (***however many***) minutes later, I was a shuddering mess of nerves curled into a fetal position. That preview freaked. Me. Out.

 

We vacation in places just like that. Pretty much every vacation. Right after the preview ended I texted The Geek and told him we were giving up diving for skiing and we were never going to the beach again. He’s used to my particular brand of crazy, so he ignored me. Plus, he knows me too well. I don’t like the cold, I’m not coordinated and I’m not an adrenaline junkie. Skiing just ain’t my thing. I’m stuck with diving I’m afraid. I had my kids signed up for swim lessons within an hour of navigating my browser away from iTunes.

 

Today, as we were heading out to swim lessons, my sister called. “I went to go see The Impossible yesterday,” she said.

 

“How was it?” I asked.

 

“I think my kids need more swim lessons.” (Her kids are 15 and strong swimmers.) “Plus, they don’t know anyone’s phone numbers. I’m making them flash cards right now with your number and mom and dad’s number too. Just in case.”

 

I think it must just be that kind of movie. The kind that makes you imagine the worst things that could happen. For the record, my sister also said it was great movie. That she would recommend it to anyone. And that she’s never going to see it again. Yeah, I get that.

 

I know it’s not a movie I can’t watch. I just don’t think I could take it. (But I reserve the right to change my mind at some point in the distant future.) I think it’s so crucial to know what your tolerance is. To know where your threshold is. Me? I can’t do super sad. I can barely do a little sad. I started sobbing in The Sound of Music when I watched it with the kids the other day. I’m the person who can’t watch those SPCA commercials about kill-shelters. I once cried during a documentary about the digging of the Chunnel. Seriously. My sorrow threshold is extremely low.

 

So what’s your sorrow threshold? Can you watch a movie like The Impossible or are you a Hallmark commercial crier?