"It is required of every man," the ghost returned, "that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellow-men, and travel far and wide; and, if that spirit goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death."
- Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
- Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
AFTER DEATH
ReplyDeleteMarley's ghost haunts still. It was His will to offer me absolution and contrition, but Marley's mission seems to go beyond that. He has become somewhat of a practical joker. Never mind the poorhouse, Marley had better go to the nuthouse and reduce the surplus population of whatever plane he is assigned to remain upon.
I praise high heavens for the transformation I was afforded. Nephew Fred has embraced the opportunity to take this old fool back into the familial fold.
Cratchett is a devoted partner and friend; more friend than Marley ever was, I'd say without a doubt. But if it was without young Tim, I'd never had gotten him to branch out and become the clark I expected.
Tim. He walks amongst us as if his deformity was not at all normality. I assure him it was we who were crippled in our minds to find him less alive in his malady.
I work less; I walk more. More involved as a human being than being a businessman. And all the better for it, I might add.
The true spirits visit as well, but in celebration of the man I have become. Even the Future Spirit smiles more; at least he does not waggle his boney finger in my direction as much.
For that I am most grateful. A fool and his money are happily separated when it is used to fete humanity. To Hades with vanity, Scrooge will be as good a man as this world has seen lo these many Christmases. God bless us, I have tried.