Fiddle-dee-dee

I love Scarlett O’Hara. She is a woman after my own heart. Fiery, determined, cunning, coy and always finding herself in some sort of pickle. She thinks she is in love with Ashley, the steady, sturdy one, who leads Scarlett on with admissions of love. She is equally, perhaps more so, inescapably drawn to the dashing “scalawag” Rhett. (Her word, not mine.) Ashley, of course we learn, is weak when it counted and never truly loved Scarlett. Rhett, on the other hand, strong and dashing patiently pursues Scarlett, knowing he will eventually win her despite her protestations.

We meet Scarlett and Ashley in the parlor at Twelve Oaks Plantation during the barbecue. (Why don’t houses don’t have parlors any more? You just feel fancier when sitting in one. I always did in my grandparents’ – when I was allowed in; children can be so messy.) During this scene Ashley tries to tell Scarlett it’s off between them, if it was ever on, and he is going to marry Melanie. Scarlett will hear none of it. This of course leads to years of flirting and pursuing between them – mostly from Scarlett’s side but the married Ashley does profess his love to her after the war. (Talk about scalawags.)

Ashley would have been all wrong for Scarlett. He was so weak and melted like butter in the sun and could be pushed around like a rag-doll by the much stronger-of-constitution Scarlett. If Scarlett had opened her eyes for a moment and stopped focusing on him as the prize she would have seen him in his true light. A good guy just the wrong one for her.

Rhett is the one for Scarlett. And we all know it the second he comes out from hiding in the parlor after Ashley leaves and Scarlett throws a vase at the closing door. The tension is palpable. Rhett, we can see is no genteel gentleman. He is a swashbuckling “varmint” (Scarlett’s word, not mine) and we are instantly, hopelessly in love. Rhett is a dashing hero. He is the type that can match Scarlett’s wit, strength and passion. We know that he will keep his word and, given the chance, take care of Scarlett forever.

She, of course, will have nothing to do with Rhett. She cannot see or refuses to see past the sleek package and pretty words. She instead focuses on the fact that he is not what she wants, not what she has already set her mind to. She knows what is best for her and this man is not it.

Rhett: “No, I don't think I will kiss you, although you need kissing, badly. That's what's wrong with you. You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how.” A woman who can pass up on a lover like this is clearly walking in the dark.

I am so like that sometimes. Always pursuing the wrong thing – I know what’s best for me and you can’t persuade me differently. I want what I cannot have or I want something that I can have but is no good for me. Put the perfect opportunity, event, thing, person, whatever in front of me sometimes and I will keep moving it out of the way to get what I want. When I finally to get it? “Okay, that was neat. Now what?” The victory is so very short lived, if there is a victory at all. Sometimes, like the Ashley situation, the eyed-prize never comes.

I have, thank goodness, been fortunate enough though to meet my Rhett Butler. And if I have to say so, and I do, my Dashing Hero really is the real deal. As we know, for all Rhett’s greatness and strength, he was but a man who eventually could not withstand Scarlett’s shenanigans and he abandoned her. But my Hero withstands all my shenanigans – and boy there are many to withstand – and will never abandon me. He loves me and pursues me with such a force that Rhett would envy to give to Scarlett. My Dashing Hero is patient, oh so patient. When I spurn Him and the gifts, opportunities, people, blessings, He is trying to give me He waits, and waits, and waits.

All I have to do to have my Dashing Hero sweep me off my feet and love me inescapably forever is all Rhett ever wanted Scarlett to do – say His name. “Just once.” (Rhett’s words, not mine but they are right on.) One call of His name, that’s all it takes to be loved and protected and showered with blessings for all eternity. Luckily for me I’m brighter and a bit more cunning than Scarlett – I have called out the name of my Beloved – Jesus. (And He is the Dashingest Hero you’ll ever want to love you.)

And as God as my witness, my life has never been the same since.

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