He would be 75 now, way past those years when he ran from one side of the country to the other — twice. He probably doesn’t cut the grass (for free, because he became a gazillionaire or something) at the Greenbow High School football field anymore because it has likely been replaced by artificial turf.
And I rather doubt he ever got remarried, because no one could ever make him feel like “peas and carrots” any more than his beloved Jen-nay.
Since I first met Forrest Gump 25 years ago this week, I have seen the first 38 years of his life so many times that I feel I actually know him. I turn on the TV and I always find Forrest, on one channel or another, quoting his momma, intervening in history, and meeting the President of the United States — again. Can you tell it’s my favorite movie? That’s all I have to say about that.
I met a fake Forrest a few years ago at a wax museum outside Gatlinburg, but I would love to see the “real” Forrest once again at the movies. I’d just like to hear what he’s been up to. When we last saw him, he was putting five-year-old little Forrest on the school bus — in 1982…before MTV, compact discs, cell phones, Bon Jovi, and the home computer. Forrest, we have a lot to talk about.
They could name it “Forrest Gump 2 — Forever Jenny,” like the parody video that you can find on YouTube. That’s perfect.
I wouldn’t need all the fancy special effects that Hollywood thinks we need. I also wouldn’t insist on a complicated story line that has Forrest tackling the major social issues of the last 35-plus years. I just want to hear Forrest, while sitting on his park bench, waiting on a bus, wearing those same muddy tennis shoes, talking about life.
“One day, for no particular reason, I started going to soup kitchens so I could feed the homeless.”
“And you wouldn’t believe it, but I can spend all day talking to veterans about our service to our count-ry.”
Forrest is not a complicated. He says, “I may not be a smart man, but I know what love is.” No truer statement has ever been made.
…
I THINK OF FORREST every time I hear someone read 1 Corinthians 13 during a wedding: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
Forrest loves who he is, despite his imperfections, which in turn makes it easy for him to love other people. You can’t give away what you do not have. He is like a vase that is always full, always pouring his goodness into those he meets.
Can’t we use a little more of that nowadays?
….
I DO HAVE ONE REQUEST, if there ever is a new Forrest Gump movie. I’d like a new soundtrack, just as amazing as the first one. It would once again be a mosaic of our history — only this time covering the last 35 years.
As Forrest talks about raising a child in the days of big hair and mullets, hearing of Lt. Dan entertaining troops all over the world, watching Jerry Seinfeld’s hit TV show about nothing, feeling the national pride in the aftermath of 9/11, questioning why everyone is glued to their cell phones, professing that he does not watch cable news shows, and promising that he would never, ever be on social media, we could hear these songs in the background.
Disc One
“Small Town” — John Mellencamp
“Born In The USA” — Bruce Springsteen
“The End Of The Innocence” — Don Henley
“The Dance” — Garth Brooks
“Bye Bye Bye” — N’Sync
“Where Is The Love?” — Black-Eyed Peas
“Graduation (Friends Forever)” — Vitamin C
“I’ll Be Missing You” — Puff Daddy and Faith Evans
Disc Two
“Live Those Songs Again” — Kenny Chesney
“Free Fallin’” — Tom Petty / John Mayer remake
“When I Get Where I’m Going” — Brad Paisley/Dolly Parton
“Livin’ On A Prayer” — Bon Jovi (acoustic version)
“Haven’t Met You Yet” — Michael Buble
“Mama’s Song” — Carrie Underwood
“May We All” — Florida Georgia Line featuring Tim McGraw
Music, like love, is a universal language.
…
AS THE MOVIE ENDS, Forrest would once again be standing at Jenny’s grave, with tears in his eyes, recounting their wonderful moments together. As he speaks, we will see images from the days they were little kids until the time they were newlyweds, and then proud parents.
This scene would feature one final song to the soundtrack, with Ed Sheeron singing. It’s a song that embodies the love Forrest feels from above, and forever expresses to Jenny. It also sums up our final two hours with Forrest.
“Perfect.”