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Sunday, December 19, 2010

This time of the year is always so busy and this year is no exception.  We have not only  been getting ready for the holidays but our eldest has gone to rehab and we were busy with her and getting her going.  She does not like it but we pretty much knew she would not like it the first few days and we are determined we are not going after her.  She is in a place far away from all those who influence her and we hope this can get her back on the right track again.  If it does not, at least we can say we tried.

The grand is with us this weekend and she is not happy because of her dad being gone and he has not really been back to see her for several weeks.  She cries alot and today told me she could not wear her dora shirt because Dora was happy and she could not be happy.  I put the Dora shirt on and told her that her mom and dad  both loved her and they wanted her to be happy like Dora.  It did not work but I think she feels a little better.  You never know how these things hurt kids till you see it.  there is nothing we can do but make sure she knows she is still loved.  I just wish dad would call or visit her.

While I am here, I think I will share the real story or Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer with you....
The True Story of Rudolph
A man named Bob May, depressed and brokenhearted, stared out his drafty apartment window into the chilling December night.

His 4-year-old daughter Barbara sat on his lap quietly sobbing. Bob's wife, Evelyn, was dying of cancer Little Barbara couldn't understand why her mommy could never come home. Barbara looked up into her dad's eyes and asked, "Why isn't Mommy just like everybody else's Mommy?" Bob's jaw tightened and his eyes welled with tears. Her question brought waves of grief, but also of anger. It had been the story of Bob's life. Life always had to be different for Bob.

Small when he was a kid, Bob was often bullied by other boys. He was too little at the time to compete in sports. He was often called names he'd rather not remember. From childhood, Bob was different and never seemed to fit in. Bob did complete college, married his loving wife, Evelyn, and was grateful to get his job as a copywriter at Montgomery Ward during the Great Depression. Then he was blessed with his little girl. But it was all short-lived. Evelyn's bout with cancer stripped them of all their savings and now Bob and his daughter were forced to live in a two-room apartment in the Chicago slums. Evelyn died just days before Christmas in 1938.

Bob struggled to give hope to his child, for whom he couldn't even afford to buy a Christmas gift. But if he couldn't buy a gift, he was determined to make one - a storybook! Bob had created an animal character in his own mind and told the animal's story to little Barbara to give her comfort and hope. Again and again Bob told the story, embellishing it more with each telling. Who was the character? What was the story all about? The story Bob May created was his own autobiography in fable form. The character he created was a misfit outcast like he was. The name of the character? A little reindeer named Rudolph, with a big shiny nose. Bob finished the book just in time to give it to his little girl on Christmas Day. But the story doesn't end there.

The general manager of Montgomery Ward caught wind of the little storybook and offered Bob May a nominal fee to purchase the rights to print the book. Wards went on to print,_ Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer_ and distribute it to children visiting Santa Claus in their stores. By 1946 Wards had printed and distributed more than six million copies of Rudolph. That same year, a major publisher wanted to purchase the rights from Wards to print an updated version of the book.

In an unprecedented gesture of kindness, the CEO of Wards returned all rights back to Bob May. The book became a best seller. Many toy and marketing deals followed and Bob May, now remarried with a growing family, became wealthy from the story he created to comfort his grieving daughter. But the story doesn't end there either.

Bob's brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, made a song adaptation to Rudolph. Though the song was turned down by such popular vocalists as Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore , it was recorded by the singing cowboy, Gene Autry.  "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was released in 1949 and became a phenomenal success, selling more records than any other Christmas song, with the exception of "White Christmas."

The gift of love that Bob May created for his daughter so long ago kept on returning back to bless him again and again. And Bob May learned the lesson, just like his dear friend Rudolph, that being different isn't so bad. In fact, being different can be a bless
ing.        
 
MERRY CHRISTMAS
2010

18 comments:

  1. What a fantastic story. I've never heard it. I'll put the link of my blog so others can read it.

    As for the rest of your life, glad the daughter is getting help and hopes she sticks with it. My heart is breaking for your granddaughter. Parents need to think of their kids first when splitting up. At least call her daily and visit often. My goodness. Give her extra hugs and kisses and all you can do. Thank God for you and hubby!

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  2. What a wonderful and very inspiring story Garnet, I had no idea! I will read this to my husband.
    I am sorry for what you are going through right now. But I am glad that your granddaughter is with you as I feel that you can make a huge difference in her life. Thanks for the inspiring post! Love and Best wishes for your family, Di ♥

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  3. I know you'll keep doing what you can for your kid and grandkid. All the best.

    It's great to know the Rudolph story.

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  4. Hi garnet. I have popped over via Bouncin'Barbs blog (As I bounce through Life) and I am so glad I did. What a beautiful story about Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. I am sorry to hear of your family problems, but I know that you will make sure that you're always there for your granddaughter. Wishing you a very happy Christmas.

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  5. Great story to blog about, and may happiness return to you and yours in full measure over this Christmas time.

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  6. What a beautiful story. Thanks so much. I will pray for your daughter and granddaughter. My grandson had similar problems and is completely well now. I hope the same for your daughter.

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  7. Oh Garnet my heart is breaking for your granddaughter, all she wants is to be loved by her parents.....what evey child deserves. I agree with Di, I am glad she is with you as I know you will love and enjoy her.
    Praying for your daughter, her road is not easy but hopefully all will work out in the end, you are a good mother Garnet, all you can do is what you have done......:-)Hugs

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  8. I am new to your blog but wanted to say that I really enjoyed the story of Rudolph and will be sharing it on my blog. Everyone needs to know. Thanks,
    Odie

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  9. I had to write back and say that I just read the first part of your blog and realize that you are doing what too many people have to do and that is raise grandchildren. You deserve a lot of thanks for all you do and I just wanted to say I think you are very special.
    Odie

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  10. Hey I hopped over here from Barb's blog. This is an amazing story! Thank you for sharing.

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  11. Impressive story about the making of Rudolph, Thank You for sharing.

    Hugs to your GrandDaughter you are so right in that the little ones notice more of what is going on than we sometimes realize, it is nice that you are there for her.

    I came over from barbs and will be coming back by again.

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  12. thanks to all of you who bounced over from Barb's blog. You can come back any time. *s*

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  13. hello, popped in via Odie and came back via Barb to say a proper hello.
    Beautiful post, thankyou for sharing

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  14. What a wonderful story. I think it is a great anti-dote to all those who claim that Christmas has become too commercialized and is no longer about the birth of Christ. I think this story really is what Christmas is all about in so many ways. Thanks for sharing it. - G

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  15. Wow! I had never heard this story about how Rudolf came to be. Thank you for sharing this with us.

    I am happy to hear that your daughter is getting help...26 years ago I was in drug treatment right now...I spent the holidays there...and while I didn't like it at first, it saved my life. I will be praying for your daughter.

    As someone that has gone through divorce with children and then having the father not care enough to see them breaks my heart to hear that your granddaughter is going through this right now. I am so sorry. Thank God she has you and your husband! I will be praying for her as well and for both of her parents in all of this.

    I pray for you as well because I know this breaks your heart to see your children and grandchildren hurting. I send you much love and big hugs right now. XXX

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  16. Ahhhh...bless her little heart...
    (((HUG)))

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  17. I came here from Barb's blog...and this is such an amazing story...Being different is not bad at all... thank you for sharing...

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  18. Merry Christmas dear friend....Hugs

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