To Be Like ‘John Candy,’ the Jolly Spirit of Saint Nick, My Grandfather Merv’—Even if It Kills You in this World
rather to ‘Turn the Other Cheek,’ take assaults on Your Character and Not Seek revenge. What Many in this world would call a Weakness, I call the Greatest Strength a Man can Posses.
There is a Canadian Comedy Legend from the 1980s and early 1990s named ‘John Candy.’ You May know Him by the Major Holiday Movie ‘Planes, Trains, & Automobiles’ where He played the hard done by but happy-go-lucky Dell Griffith alongside Steve Martin. And this Movie really speaks to what I’m getting at in this article. That despite the World mocking and spitting in Your face—You should Be Jolly in Spirit.
This does not Mean to ‘Lay Down’ in the Face of tirade and rage and injustice, but rather to ‘Turn the Other Cheek’ take assaults on Your Character and Not Seek revenge. What Many in this world would call a Weakness, I call the Greatest Strength a Man can Posses.
When People mistreat You, You hold Your tongue and this is especially true of Family and Close Friends.
But as with Candy’s other character ‘Uncle Buck in the Movie of the same title. You can punch a drunken clown in the face when He shows up plastered to Your Nephew’s Birthday Party (this will make You laugh if You’ve seen the reference).
No it is Just This. Being able to Stand Up to Injustice while taking petty attacks on the chin, knowing that those Who deliver nasty remarks and make You feel small—They’re probably having a bad day, or better put a bad couple years, or even bad couple decades.
If You can take such Compassion into Your Life in earnest and not repay insult with injury, not get even, bite Your Tongue, and ask for forgiveness when the Other Person is the aggressor. This is Not Just a Christian Ethic—it is the Salt and Substance of Mature Male Character. Real Compassion. A Good Man at heart.
And I will say that from My Maternal Grandfather [Mervin Morrison] I inherited such a Subtle and Calm disposition—One Seeking to laugh off life’s troubles rather than rage. My Grandfather Mumbled because He spoke so softly; I do the same. He smiled with the wrinkles by His Eye, so do I…
And He was Hit Hard By Life and Broke Down. I’ve Been there as well Grandpa. Such is Life.
But if When You are Rocked and Crushed by circumstance [such as being crippled by an automobile wreck, or given a life-shaking mental health diagnosis] You forget in that moment about Yourself and Pull Instead to bring Joy to other People—in light hearted banter or half-baked Dad Jokes. This is the type of Warrior I want to Be, that I am proud to call My Family heritage and which I will do the utmost to instill in My Sons, if I should ever be so lucky as to have the privilege of Fatherhood.
To Be Like John Candy, the Jolly-Santa like figure. That’s what I’m telling You—Be Like John Candy or Saint Nick. Boast in Your Weakness, do not Glory in Your Strengths. Play Beautiful Music for a Sad World. Pray for Your Enemies. And live with quiet resolve and love in Your Heart—Amen.