Not a PATCH on this one

Have you seen ‘Patch Adams’ (1998) starring the late comic genius Robin Williams? In my opinion, one of the funniest and poignant comedy/drama movies of all time. It’s essentially about kindness. 
Irreverent and antiestablishment, the movie shows the absurdity of bureaucracy and the negative effects of cynicism, apathy, arrogance and indifference. Humour, compassion and empathy are shown as character strengths not weaknesses. The final scene is not to be missed!
Now to a Patch we know in person. One of our grandsons. I asked our youngest daughter Ruth why her oldest son was called Patch. Ruth and her husband Jake (before they had kids) were in London in 2009. They had a meal and watched Patch Adams. They both loved the movie. Outside the movie theatre they met an African American man who reminded them of the actor Michael Clarke Duncan who played John Coffey in the movie ‘The Green Mile’. The man they met was one of the nicest people they came across on their OE. His name was Noble. Years later and back in New Zealand/Aotearoa it was time to name their son. They remembered the Patch Adams movie and Noble. They looked up the meaning of Patch. It means Noble. The perfect name for our grandson.
By the way, have you seen the following movies that also feature kindness? The Shawshank Redemption, Forrest Gump… and for the kids, The many adventures of Winnie the Pooh, The Peanuts Movie, Lyle, the kindly viking…

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