’Tis the Season…
Dear Leading Ladies,
’Tis the season to be merry.
But, as we know, many among us have little to be merry about. Charles Dickens long ago gave us a poignant and memorable look at the less fortunate during the holidays with A Christmas Carol, his heart-wrenching tale from the mid-19th century of the overworked and underpaid, those who had little but could still find joy in their friendships and family.
Dickens’ tale told the story of Ebeneezer Scrooge, who had no sympathy for the poor, and Tiny Tim, a little cripple boy.
Writer's Digest
Of Scrooge, Dickens wrote, “Nobody ever stopped him in the street to say, with gladsome looks, ‘My dear Scrooge, how are you? When will you come to see me?’ No beggars implored him to bestow a trifle, no children asked him what it was o’clock, no man or woman ever once in all his life inquired the way to such and such a place, of Scrooge. Even the blindmen’s dogs appeared to know him; and when they saw him coming on, would tug their owners into doorways and up courts; and then would wag their tails as though they said, ‘No eye at all is better than an evil eye, dark master!’”
“It's not my business,” Scrooge returned. “It’s enough for a man to understand his own business, and not to interfere with other people's. Mine occupies me constantly.”
But then Scrooge undergoes a miraculous change. As we read the original text, or watch the many versions on the screen or stage, we too find hope as we witness the redemption of Scrooge. Over the span of just 24 hours, he visits his past and sees what his heartless decisions have cost him and others. He commits to change his ways and make amends to those he has harmed.
“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach.”
He is forgiven by his relatives and his loyal employee, Bob Cratchit, as he pledges to make sure sweet Tiny Tim receives all the care he needs to become strong and well.
“No space of regret can make amends for one life’s opportunity misused.”
The story ends with Tiny Tim as an adult, in full strength, grateful for his “second father” Scrooge and for all his patron did for him and others in their community.
“He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world. Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh, and little heeded them; for he was wise enough to know that nothing ever happened on this globe, for good, at which some people did not have their fill of laughter in the outset.”
A Christmas Carol entertains us every year. Tiny Tim, with his sweet nature and endless hopefulness, is enchanting and engaging. Scrooge and his metamorphosis is inspirational. Add in some ghosts and you have yourself a story for the ages.
But perhaps A Christmas Carol can be even more. Perhaps the story can be a reminder that we all need to dig deep to find our own best selves and to bring help and aid to the many Tiny Tims in our communities—children who go to bed hungry, who lack adequate medical care, who need warm clothing, and so much more. The story is a reminder to all of us who “have” to give to those who “have not.” Like Scrooge, we need look no further than our own families and communities to see those who need our kindness and generosity.
We hope those who celebrate Hanukkah had a joyous festival of lights, that those who celebrate Christmas will have a happy December 25th, and that we all will have a peaceful New Year. We will be back with a new newsletter on January 3rd.
Therese (she/her/hers)
Judy (she/her/hers)
Didi (she/her/hers)
Leading Ladies Executive Team