Day 15 – Thank You Mr. Dickens

Hey Dad,

For the record, my favorite Christmas story/video is A Christmas Carol. I’ve seen about every version there is and love them all…some more than others.

Every time I watch that wonderfully, haunting tale I think, “He’s right. That old, dead guy is right. People matter and money doesn‘t”

So when are we going to learn the lesson? It was written 169 years ago, and we still haven’t changed much. Oh, yeah, we get it…but we don’t GET IT!! Men still spend their lives trying to amass large piles of cash at the neglect of the people who mean the most.

Our Ebenezer’s don’t look like Charlie’s, Scrooge. Instead of worn, clothes, he wears nicely pressed designer clothes, European shoes, and mod glasses. Instead of a dark dusty haunted house, he lives in a swanky house and drives a shiny car. He doesn’t say bah humbug but smiles a perfect smile with his perfect teeth.

He looks happy and fulfilled but his wife and children long for his attention. I’ve shared it before by Jacob Marley speaks volumes when he cries out,

“Business! Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence were, all, my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!”

We need to get it, Dad!!! We must get it. Our familes are counting on us to get it!!

So from one grateful dad who wants to live the lesson, “Thanks, Mr. Dicken’s, you got it right.”

You ‘da dad,

Todd

PS – Here are my favorite Dicken’s versions

1- Scrooge – The musical starring, Albert Finney

2 – A Muppets Christmas Carol – Just fun and wonderful

3 – A Christmas Carol – A very accurate rendition starring, George C Scott

For fun, you can even print a copy of the original text.