Marty Helly, CSI
“There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited, I dare say, Christmas among the rest. But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!”
The quote is of course from Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol’ where the young Fred is trying to convince his Uncle Ebeneezer Scrooge that Christmas is not a “Humbug!”. I’m a sap for the holidays. I have six versions of this classic on DVD, from the Muppets’ lighthearted version to George C Scott’s epic take, as well as a leather-bound volume of the book itself. The story of Scrooge’s transformation is an inspirational one showing us we can all enjoy a better life by giving back to our fellow man. For CSI members I hope we can take that spirit into the new year – sharing our knowledge and talent to help each other in our industry and building a better future. As a chapter we’ll continue to try and give back valuable experiences to our members throughout the year.
“Scrooge 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. He had no further intercourse with Spirits, but lived upon principle, ever afterward; and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!”
