 With Sparky at the 1996 Reuben Awards in New York City |
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Charlie Brown showed us that determination is key to existence. No matter how many times Lucy pulls the football away, nor how many times the tree swallows his kites, he will not give up. He is always upon that pitcher's mound hoping against all odds that maybe THIS time they will win a game. Sparky was often asked, "Why can’t Charlie Brown kick that football just once?" He said that would be nice for Charlie Brown because it would make him happy and happiness is wonderful. But, sadly, we are not always happy. And, more importantly, "happy isn’t funny". I guess Charlie Brown will never get to kick the football. He won’t win the spelling bee or successfully fly his kite. His faithful dog will forever refer to him as "that round-headed kid". His peers will continually call him a blockhead. But, heaven knows no one deserves the happiness as much as Charlie Brown. I guess he will just have to settle for the love and admiration of countless individuals around the world. Sparky is responsible for my doing what I do for a living. He has been my personal idol from the time I could pick up a pencil. I was fortunate to have him as a mentor of sorts and doubly blessed to count him as a friend. Beyond his talent, I will always recall a soft-spoken gentleman who was brave enough to put all of his fears, insecurities and weaknesses on display for the rest of us. He let us know it was perfectly all right to be "human". We even learned to embrace our so-called imperfections. The last thing he ever said to me, at the end of a recent conversation, was, "Work hard, Charles." I will, Sparky. I will.
PEANUTS © 2000 United Feature Syndicate, Inc.
Charles A. Filius |
