A Wonderful Life

In the 1940s, Henry Wood unexpectedly dies in his hometown of Martinville, Missouri, after living his life as a devoted family man and community volunteer. Following the funeral, the family receives mourners at their home, where the visitors' stories about Henry's self-sacrifice anger Henry's daughter Mary. Although they all agree that Henry's devotion to the community was exemplary, Mary believes her father's generosity was taken for granted. Henry's employer, Harry Jenkins, then relates a story to attest to Henry's character: In 1929 Harry gives Henry a $250 bonus and suggests he invest the money in stocks, but Henry prefers "investing in people" and gives the money to the church. Although his children are disappointed and his wife Jennie reprimands him for giving the money away, Henry quietly persists in acting on his beliefs. After Harry completes his story, others in attendance talk about Henry's role as treasurer for many town committees, reasoning that Henry was always chosen for the position because everyone trusted him. Mary, however, can only remember that the positions were unpaid and laments her father's wasted time. After the pastor praises Henry for having found his satisfaction in his devotion to family and church, a local businessman remembers an incident during the depression: As a direct result of Henry encouraging town businessmen to work together with faith and seek new investors, a shoe factory and textile mill were built. Henry, however, was never given credit for the suggestion. Elsewhere in the room, the pastor notes Mary's limp and recounts the story of her young life: As a teenager Mary is disagnosed with infantile paralysis and is not expected to walk again. Due to her parents devoting all their time and resources to her rehabilitation, Mary regains her ability to walk. When Mary's disability prevents her from leading a normal social life, her parents open the house to Mary's peers for parties. One evening, Mary's friend George asks her to join him on a sleigh ride, but Mary refuses, later telling her father that she is afraid. After Henry tells Mary she can do anything and encourages her to have faith, Mary accepts the invitation and a romance between her and George blossoms. Later that spring, Mary tells George that she plans to go to college. Although George plans to remain in Martinville and work as a mechanic, he proposes to her and promises to save money for their life together. During her first year at teacher's college, Mary is encouraged to think for herself and soon begins to question her sheltered life. She finds that she must defend her church attendance to her fellow students and is disappointed that one of her classmates is only there "to learn how to make money." Soon after, Mary learns that George has enlisted to serve in World War II and will soon be sent overseas. After the two lovers profess their love, George encourages Mary to have faith even though they must postpone their future together. Back at school, Mary's faith is tested as the war escalates. When Henry and Jennie visit the college, Mary confronts her father about his perpetual optimism in a world in which so much misery exists. When her parents cancel their dinner plans with Mary because of a Martinville committee meeting, Mary is convinced that the school is correct in teaching that honest working people are taken advantage of. She demands to know what profit her father has earned from his work. Henry replies that his family and friends are his benefits and advises her to concentrate on her faith. Only days later, Henry dies in his sleep. Having been unable to make amends with her father before his death, Mary is distraught. Back at her home, the pastor tells Mary that her father spoke with him about his most recent discussions with Mary. Henry had concluded that the church was failing young people and proposed a committee to bring them back into the fold. The pastor tells Mary that a committee named the Henry Wood Fund has been formed with money from local businessmen. The pastor then leads the group of mourners in prayer and thanks the Lord for Henry, "a servant to all." As the visitors leave, Mary announces she will continue her studies and return to Martinville to teach. Finally understanding the value of her father's commitment to others, Mary asks the pastor if the fund could use a woman treasurer.