Welcome to this week’s Grateful Heart Monday, my time to reflect on an important piece of gratitude from my life, which for today is for something that may seem a little odd to be thankful for, that being the long-running television show named Supernatural.
When Supernatural began in September of 2005, I was seriously grieving the loss of my mother, who had just passed away earlier that year in a very tragic way. At that point in my life, I felt the world was filled with nothing but darkness and wished somehow, I could eliminate all of it. Enter Sam and Dean Winchester (played by Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles) in a brand-new series on the former WB network (now the CW), two brothers raised in a family to fight off all of the evil in the world on a daily basis. Created by Eric Kripke, the show has lasted currently for 14 seasons and was just announced will officially end next year with its 15th season.
After catching wind that this show was finally coming to an end, I found myself feeling quite sad, which is something to be said, given it is a television show after all. While I’ve seen countless series on television come and go over the years and experienced frustration anytime good ones came to an abrupt halt or a formative conclusion, my reaction towards the news that Supernatural was ending was far different.
This show not only comforted me somehow when I was moving through the grieving process of my mother’s death, it also helped to positively distract me through the break-up of my last long-term relationship, the loss of the bed and breakfast I once owned, the financial failure I faced after that, then the decline of my health, and even my move to a brand new city in another part of the country where I felt more alone than not.
Sitting with Sam and Dean on whatever night the show aired over the past fourteen years is probably the only thing that I can say consistently brought a smile to my face, many laughs, comfort, and even tears. The chemistry between Jared and Jensen could easily be felt every time an episode came on. When the show finally introduced angels (like Castiel played by Misha Collins) and God (played by Rob Benedict) as well, my heart moved on many an episode and even, if you can believe it, led me to tear-soaked prayers at times, especially when I felt the presence of my own Higher Power pouring through.
I know that may seem quite ridiculous to some, that a television show could do that, but as I’ve always been a proponent of, I think God can manifest in many ways, even through something like Supernatural. And trust me when I say that I went through long periods in the past 14 years where I could hardly cry, let alone feel my heart on any level, yet Supernatural proved often to be the very cure for that.
While many might say the show jumped the shark long ago and should have ended many seasons back, I’m absolutely thankful it didn’t, because Supernatural has been a friend for many years. One that never left my side. One that connected to my soul more than not. And one that I could rely on improving my mood anytime it ever came on.
Was that because of the chemistry of all the actors and actresses? Was it because of the writing? Or was it because of the good versus evil storyline that played over the years? Honestly, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that Supernatural was a trusted uplifter in my life through many-a-dark times, from great losses to heavy addictions, and is most definitely a show I’ll miss and always be grateful for…
Peace, love, light, and joy,
Andrew Arthur Dawson
