Recently I was rearranging some books in my small bedroom book library. As I do most of my reading there, that's where I have a lot of my books. As I pulled some books out to move them to a better shelf, I saw him: Hum-a-tune, my wind up 'house mouse'.
I had placed him there several years ago, just temporarily, to keep him safe -- so he wouldn't be knocked down by my cat. The fact he survived all these years is remarkable.
I got him in Christmas when I was maybe 5 or 6. When I was a kid, we always had two Christmas trees -- there would be the big one downstairs in the living room, and then there was a smaller one that was either in my bedroom, or in the upstairs hallway. Both would have lights. The big tree downstairs had the larger, 'C4', incandescent, multicolored Christmas lights, and lots of glass ornaments -- most of which I still have.
The smaller tree in my room had twinklies, and there would be a few presents under it as well. I don't know why my parents did that, but my Dad did love Christmas.
This one year, I can't remember which one exactly, I got up on Christmas morning to see a few wrapped presents under my little tree (probably books), and there was something stuck inside the tree, in the branches. It was a grey, stuffed mouse, with red ears and a happy face.
When I pulled him out of the tree, I could see he had a key on his back -- he was a music box mouse!
There was a card next to him, stuck in the tree. My father wrote in the card:
This is Hum-A-Tune, the House Mouse.
Whenever you're feeling sad, just turn the key on his back, and Hum-A-Tune will hum you a tune, and make you happy!
I knew it was from Dad, because I could recognise his writing. And my Dad was a sentimental sort of person. He worked in a factory, had served in the Army Air Forces in World War II (as a B-29 Gunnery trainer), his father died when he was in high school, and just a year or two previous to the year I got Hum-A-Tune -- right around Christmas -- we had lost his brother, my Uncle Bill, so Dad knew that life could send you some hard knocks.
But Dad also liked the kinder things in life -- things like Hum-A-Tune, for example -- and I think it was because such things reminded him of those better, happier things in life. There are enough things that will hurt you. Sometimes a stuffed animal or simple wind-up toy or music box can make you smile for a moment.
A pic of Hum-A-Tune's back, where you can see the music box key. He is a Knickerbocker toy. Knickerbocker Toys, based out of New York, went out of business in the 1980's.
Anyway, after I pulled Hum-A-Tune out of the tree, I wound him up, and he did play a happy tune! For years he was in my bedroom, on top of a shelf. Then, when my parents repainted the interior of the house, he got moved to a box, and when I got older, he ended up in the basement, in my old box of toys.
About 8 or 9 years ago, I went down into the basement, looking for the last of the old glass ornaments for my Christmas tree. There were still signs that the basement had flooded (about 2-3 feet worth of water, at least twice since 1991), and it was still a mess.
On the way to the corner where the old ornaments were still kept, I happened to look in the back of my old toy box, which was nearby. The basement had just recently flooded that November -- my house is in a river valley and basements can be dicey because of the water table. My parents had a basement put in knowing that risk. I think the basement has had 5 or 6 floods over the years the house has been here. We've gone through 5 or 6 sump pumps. They end up burning out because they can't handle the water when it happens.
Anyway, I looked in my toy box. And there he was -- my old mouse! I had completely forgotten he'd existed. I picked him up, and remembered -- he had been in my Christmas tree when I was a little kid! It was then that the card, and the words that my Dad wrote, came to mind. I had long lost the card, but I still remembered the words that Dad wrote.
I immediately took Hum-A-Tune upstairs, awestruck that he managed to keep from being damaged in the flooding. He apparently was high enough up in the old toy box that the water never got to him. Unfortunately, his music box no longer works. Sitting in the basement for so many years apparently ran its toll.
I put him in my bookshelf in my bedroom upstairs. Then, of course, life intervened. I had to take care of my ailing mother for a couple years, and you forget about things... For a couple years I really didn't get any sleep.
But just over two weeks ago, like I said, I found him behind the books. Now I have him near a couple other old stuffed animals from years ago, next to my radios on the headstead of my bed.
The stuffed animals may look odd there, but they remind me of a time when my Father and Mother were still alive, and life was a lot better, and life was still full of wonder. As I live alone, there is no one to criticise any of them being there, so they stay where they are.
My Sakai guitar. My godfather, my Uncle Calvin (who served on ballistic submarines) got it for my Uncle Dale, maybe 1972 or '73. Uncle Dale was a country guitar player and singer. He always played and sang at family get-togethers, like Christmas. The two uncles had a falling out, and Uncle Dale left it on Uncle Calvin's front porch. In the Summer of 1976 Uncle Calvin invited us up for a barbecue, and he sold the guitar to my Dad, so I could have it. The guitar and small amp together cost $40. So I play a guitar that's been in three separate hands in the family.
When I was a kid, I never thought that life would be so rough, with long stretches of dark times. In many respects, I am probably better off than a lot of people, but it still isn't easy, especially during holidays. And at times like Christmas I really miss my folks, as well as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and some cousins who have all passed on. My #1 electric guitar (my Sakai Japanese Jag copy) used to belong to my Uncle Dale, who was quite the country and folk music entertainer. He would always play and sing 'Randolph The Bow Legged Cowboy' during Christmases. He died in the early 2000's. Unexpectedly. A lot of the family are gone. It sucks.
It's a real tough time.
Hum-A-Tune reminds me of Dad. And every time I look at Hum-A-Tune the House Mouse, I think of what my Father wrote, and how much thought he put into writing those words. He really wanted to make his son happy. He put so much thought into placing the music box mouse in my tree, and writing the card. I treasure the fact that he really loved me enough to try to make sure I felt loved and cared for, and he always tried to make sure I was always happy.
Dad left us in 1984, but there still is some of him around. My first guitar, my telescope, my DX-160 SW radio, my old boombox, my bagpipes -- they all remind me of Dad. And now so does this stuffed, music box mouse.
It's hard to find people like my Father was. Having people like that in your life, frankly, is a rarity. I was lucky, my parents both made me feel that way, especially at Christmas. My Mother and Father had their rough spots. But they never made me feel unloved or unsupported. Every Christmas I miss them.
Now, Christmas is just another day out of 365 days in the year.
GOD LILLE JULAFTON!
Right now it's the 23rd of December. The Scandinavians call it Lille Julafton, 'little Christmas Eve'. When I was a kid the night of the 23rd was usually when my folks finished putting up Christmas decorations and getting ready for Christmas time. It was a night that really felt Christmas cheer. It really was like a 'little Christmas Eve'.
I presently have no idea what I'll do this Christmas. I will probably DX a bit, pet my cats, and maybe go out on a night time bike ride. I may work on some old-time banjo tunes on my banjo -- something I've been trying to relearn.
I'll probably read Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. My extended family may or may not have a get-together for Christmas. If they do, I'll probably go and play my bagpipes.
But it simply won't be the same as it was years ago.
Here's hoping that all of you out there have a good holiday. If you have someone, give them a hug. If you have a cat or a dog, pet them, hold them close, and tell them how much they mean to you. Life is short.
Peace, and Merry Christmas.
C.C.
December 23rd, 2024.
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