My favorite Christmas cartoon, from 2001. The nation was still reeling from 9/11, and everyone knew that life would never be the same. Still, here in our little community life went on, but with a heightened sense of our mortality.
Fifteen years have passed since that time. So many familiar faces have faded into eternity. Heck, I just talked to David Potter at the grocery store a few weeks ago. I had barely received my copies of Denny Eichhorn’s latest book when the word came down that he was gone. Dear Frances Allen, who kept us Shifters from going to the wrong bar every Friday, has left a great void where her smile used to be.
In a life filled with stories, I was very happy to have seen all six Star Wars movies. It gave me a sense of finality. Then Lucas sold out to Disney and now I have a whole new series to see, if I should be fortunate enough to live that long.
And of course, I won’t. None of us will ever see the end of the story. It will go on, with new writers and actors and plot twists we can only imagine.
All any of us can do is appreciate the people who have made a difference in our lives. Since I drew that cartoon in the waning days of 2001, that has been my goal. Whether I have succeeded or not will be judged by others somewhere down the line.
2015 is almost over. The new year beckons with new challenges. The story continues. Bring it on…
Merry Christmas Bob, and thanks.
Religious or not, liberal, conservative, and in between, even those who pretend to have no allegiance:
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
And in the oldest tradition of the holiday, a wish for peace on Earth.
Thank you so much, Bob, for this Christmas gift – it could not have been said better. It truly is a Wonderful Life, made all the better by your thoughtful and comical insights.
Thank you, Julie.