"I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a school-boy. I am as giddy as a drunken man. A Merry Christmas to every-body!”
These are the words of Ebenezer Scrooge given by Charles Dickens in his timeless tale, “A Christmas Carol” published in 1843. I am one of those sentimental, schmaltzy guys who puts on the classic 1951 movie “Scrooge” starring Alastair Sim and watch all by myself so that I can tear up at the end without embarrassment. I do the same with “It’s A Wonderful Life”, “The Cheaters” (re-released this year by Turner by the way), “Miracle on 34th Street” and others. My family tired of my ritual long ago…so part of my viewing alone is to avoid the sighs and grumbles. No problem. They just don’t fall into the category of avid traditionalists like me and I don’t expect them to. Anyway, Scrooge continues to be my favorite without peer. It has long been my Christmas companion (the 1938 version was my first childhood television Scrooge…but it does not compare). The message that comes to me each year with Scrooge is one of conversion to happiness and generosity. It is a message that we are always hungry to hear.
Happiness has come to me in countless Christmas memories this year as well as the promise of making new ones. My friends and family are making plans to gather all over the country. Bonita and I will be visiting our son, Steven and Mary Jane in Memphis and then heading down to Orlando for the Capital One Bowl on New Years Day. My daughter Courtney and Jon are trying to get down to the warm Florida poolside during the holidays. Daughter Kristy announced her engagement this fall. My Danville gang, the JCOS, gathered in November with me and celebrated. David Gross and Patti have stopped by to visit at our rental home in Florida. Come on down y’all. No kidding! I caught up with Ed and Sharon Williams and had a good reminiscence. Ed has the spirit of Grand Dad Jones in every word he speaks. Joan French is having a grand reunion in Peoria to celebrate 80 years. We are all excited about that gathering (“a good time will be had by all”). I have been married for almost 14 years to the love of my life. You just can’t beat it!
Generosity has presented itself in the unselfish work that I have witnessed at Covenant House in Orlando. If you are looking for a way to help kids that are horribly marginalized and troubled…kids that are ignored and forgotten…please send them a few bucks. It will be used well and appreciated greatly. The particulars are Covenant House Orlando, 5931 E Colonial Dr., Orlando, FL 32807, (407) 426-7888. Scrooge was confronted by the Spirit of Christmas Present who exposed two children beneath his cloak “they cling to me, appealing from their fathers. This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy.” It is a good time to be generous, isn’t it?
So, I send my love and the spirit of happiness and generosity to you all. May the joy of Christmas be with us always. Dare I say it? In the words of Tiny Tim…"God bless us every one.”
These are the words of Ebenezer Scrooge given by Charles Dickens in his timeless tale, “A Christmas Carol” published in 1843. I am one of those sentimental, schmaltzy guys who puts on the classic 1951 movie “Scrooge” starring Alastair Sim and watch all by myself so that I can tear up at the end without embarrassment. I do the same with “It’s A Wonderful Life”, “The Cheaters” (re-released this year by Turner by the way), “Miracle on 34th Street” and others. My family tired of my ritual long ago…so part of my viewing alone is to avoid the sighs and grumbles. No problem. They just don’t fall into the category of avid traditionalists like me and I don’t expect them to. Anyway, Scrooge continues to be my favorite without peer. It has long been my Christmas companion (the 1938 version was my first childhood television Scrooge…but it does not compare). The message that comes to me each year with Scrooge is one of conversion to happiness and generosity. It is a message that we are always hungry to hear.
Happiness has come to me in countless Christmas memories this year as well as the promise of making new ones. My friends and family are making plans to gather all over the country. Bonita and I will be visiting our son, Steven and Mary Jane in Memphis and then heading down to Orlando for the Capital One Bowl on New Years Day. My daughter Courtney and Jon are trying to get down to the warm Florida poolside during the holidays. Daughter Kristy announced her engagement this fall. My Danville gang, the JCOS, gathered in November with me and celebrated. David Gross and Patti have stopped by to visit at our rental home in Florida. Come on down y’all. No kidding! I caught up with Ed and Sharon Williams and had a good reminiscence. Ed has the spirit of Grand Dad Jones in every word he speaks. Joan French is having a grand reunion in Peoria to celebrate 80 years. We are all excited about that gathering (“a good time will be had by all”). I have been married for almost 14 years to the love of my life. You just can’t beat it!
Generosity has presented itself in the unselfish work that I have witnessed at Covenant House in Orlando. If you are looking for a way to help kids that are horribly marginalized and troubled…kids that are ignored and forgotten…please send them a few bucks. It will be used well and appreciated greatly. The particulars are Covenant House Orlando, 5931 E Colonial Dr., Orlando, FL 32807, (407) 426-7888. Scrooge was confronted by the Spirit of Christmas Present who exposed two children beneath his cloak “they cling to me, appealing from their fathers. This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy.” It is a good time to be generous, isn’t it?
So, I send my love and the spirit of happiness and generosity to you all. May the joy of Christmas be with us always. Dare I say it? In the words of Tiny Tim…"God bless us every one.”
