Blog 35 – 5.25.15

Last month I wrote a tribute to Will Rogers and I would like to do such a tribute at least once a month. There is a lot said about heroes these days and with Mariah Carey I believe there is a hero in every one of us. You are a shining hero to someone. But some of us have a larger platform and can affect the lives of many more people it is therefore our duty to shine as brightly as we can.

Many younger people today may not know who Jimmy Durante was. In my boyhood almost everyone could do an impersonation of Jimmy Durante. My favorite was, “Ha Cha Cha Cha, I got a million of ‘um .” that he would say after telling a joke of which he was particularly proud. Jimmy had a noble Roman nose and a face that most would not call handsome but it was a good face, a kind and loving face, a funny face. And he made us laugh when most found little to laugh about Jimmy found it for us.

Many of the heroes through out my life have been funny men. Someone has said laughter is the best medicine. And there is not a list of side effects you have to concern yourself about but it is addictive. Like a good meal, or great sex, you want to do it again and again. A dear and beloved friend of mine who has had a rougher time of it than most once said to me, “It is better to laugh than to cry.” Some times a good cry is not a bad thing either. Oh, but a good laugh is just what Doctor Dave prescribes for what ails us most. Sometimes we take life and ourselves too seriously.

Jimmy Durante had a weekly TV show late in his career and he would end each show with his unforgettable sign off, “Goodnight, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are.”And that to me was as tender as Red Skelton’s “Goodnight and God bless.” or my own dear parent’s “Sweet dreams.” Till next time I remain.

Your Fellow Traveler,
David White