Friday, July 04, 2008

Larry Harmon....Rest in Peace


I grew up in a more innocent time. Kids were allowed to be kids. When we weren't running and jumping outside, playing baseball and football or pretending to be various characters from the adventure films we had seen at the cinema, we watched programs such as Captain Kangaroo, Rex Trailer and Bozo's Big Top.

Bozo was my favorite. And although Larry Harmon wasn't the original Bozo the Clown, he made the role his own. And I couldn't get enough of him. I actually saw him live at Hyannis in 1970 and will never forget the experience. My parents bought me a Bozo the Clown doll when I was four and I took that thing everywhere I went. I hugged the doll so often my mother had to re-attach the head twice after it fell off. When she informed me that she couldn't sew it on a third time, I cried.

A lot of people have different ideas as to what makes a hero. But for me, Larry Harmon was a hero. He brought joy to countless children and even made rainy days more tolerable. In his letter to the Galatians, St. Paul tells us that, "..the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." (Galatians 5: 22, 23). And Larry Harmon epitomized all of these virtues while bringing joy to others all his life.

I just know you're already with the Lord Jesus Larry. And that he's issued you a pair of oversized red shoes and a nose to match which will never wear out.
God love you Larry.

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