Sometimes, the right people walk into your life at the exact moment you need them to, even without realizing it yourself. That’s what happens to Otto.
In “A Man Called Otto,” Tom Hanks plays a grumpy, heartbroken man who’s done. His wife, the love of his life, is gone. With that, he feels no reason to keep going. To make matters worse, his job ended.
Yet, life has this way of completely disregarding our plans.
In comes Marisol, a neighbor who crashes into his routine. She doesn’t know Otto’s story, but she sees that he’s alone. She decides he doesn’t have to be.
Otto tries his best to push her and her family away. He doesn’t want anyone’s help, and he certainly doesn’t want company. He’s already decided he’s done, so why would he accept that now? Marisol doesn’t take no for an answer. She continues to show up for him. She asks for help with driving and watching her kids, and she brings him food.
Slowly, Otto starts to change.
Not in a big, obvious and dramatic way but in small ways that matter most. He starts fixing things, protecting people and helping them. In doing so, he finds himself again.
This movie reminded me that “family” isn’t always who we’re born to or related to by blood or marriage. Sometimes, it’s who steps in when we need them the most. Otto didn’t need advice or fixing; he just needed someone to care enough to stay.
Sometimes, showing up for someone else saves you.
Otto is a reminder that we all have more to give than we think. And that our story isn’t over; it’s just waiting for someone to walk in and remind us that we still belong.
So if there’s an “Otto” in your life, show up. Keep showing up. You never know the difference you might make.
And if you feel like Otto? Let someone in. You’re not as alone as you think.
