The happiness maker

This past Valentine's day Linda gave me two tickets for a show at our Kravis Center.  We went to see it last night. And what a show it was!

In the early 1950's my favorite show was a show about some sailors on a small boat who were always in some kind of trouble.  I was in the Navy at the time which made it even better for me.  I would watch it and laugh and laugh and laugh.  Other sailors watched it with me and we all laughed together.  Why, you ask?  Well it was basically because of a short funny Ensign who was forever and always saying the unexpected and hilariously funny lines.  It was a sad day when it was announced that the show would no longer be on. 

But the Ensign lived on.  He was later to show up in another show where he continued to come up with words and phrases at odd times that seemed to always apply but still made everyone laugh.  It was often times when he would say things that were probably not in the script at all at which time the others in the show would laugh in spite of themselves.  I read about this fine entertainer and found out that he was active in many activities that helped children.  Maybe children of all ages!  He is also a family man. I took a good look at why I liked this man so much.  He was funny, yes.  He was talented., yes.  But there was something else.  I think that I zoomed in on what his real talent was and still is.  He is sincere.  In all of the times I have seen him perform I have never heard a harsh word out of his mouth.  All of his humor is clean and family style.  A natural humor that all of us ought to carry in our hearts. 

Last night as I was enjoying the show my thoughts went briefly back to my younger days.  I remember telling my family that all I wanted to do with my life was to make other people happy by making them laugh.  I sincerely wanted to be a stand up comedian.  I even took classes.  I would practice what I wanted to say at any occasion.  I was really into it all except that I had one small problem.  I wasn't funny.  So I got a paper route. 

So maybe that is why I have such a deep regard for that wonderful entertainer who does so much for all of us while keeping it all clean and worth while.

I sincerely wish that we had more decent entertainers like my friend (who doesn't even know me)  Tim Conway!