Stricken with the cancer that would take his life in less than a year, Babe Ruth gives out toys to children recovering from polio.
I’m sorry, there’s something in my eye.
We live sorta nowhere. The Cottage is outside of a sleepy town, and the town is really just a village. We’ve never had a trick or treater we didn’t bring home from the hospital.
My six-year old still sees many things for the first time ever. His reaction to these new things is always interesting, as you see how a mind that understands many things now searches for a slot in which to put fresh information. Sometimes only a new slot will do.
My wife took him to the supermarket the other day. A supermarket is a marvelous place for a child. It’s a riot of color and text. If you’re six, you’re still jazzed about reading new things.
There was a new wrinkle at the store. There was a real live Salvation Army bellringer standing post outside the door. My little boy stood transfixed for a moment, sizing up the whole situation as people passed and put coins in the kettle. He’d never seen such a thing.
-Mom, can we put coins in the kettle?
-Sure, son. We’ll have change after we buy groceries, and use it on the way out.
Of course there was a wrinkle. When they emerged from the store, the bellringer was gone, off to greener pastures no doubt. My boy looked this way and that, and said nothing.
My wife said he was very quiet in the car, as he turned the thing over in his mind.
-Mom, what happened to the Change Guard?
I always wanted to own the Missing LaRue.
Like football, you can make up for some flaws in execution with extra effort.
I like the wistful Christmas songs a lot. I always found Christmas a time for reflection, not just a party. Lots of other people get that vibe, too, it seems. Makes it seem more profound. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, has been recorded a zillion times and featured in a million movies. The original recorded version, sung by Judy Garland in Meet Me In St. Louis is still the best.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on,
our troubles will be out of sight.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yuletide gay,
From now on,
our troubles will be miles away.
Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.
Through the years
We all will be together,
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star
upon the highest bough.
And have yourself
A merry little Christmas now.
Remember — “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Now” is an imperative.
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