The Vegas Voice 12-19

Clarence, We Need You
By: Morris Heldt / A Senior’s P.O.V.
“
Help! Help!” Clarence shouted from the
rushing river below as George Bailey stood
on a bridge overhead feeling sorry for himself.
When hearing the cry however, and without hesitation, George jumped
into the freezing water and saved Clarence.
It was a few minutes later that George Bailey learned that Clarence
was his angel.
Many of us now are rushing around preparing for the holidays,
traveling, or unfortunately fighting seasonal depression. I have
been told by many of my fellow seniors they reminisce more about
celebrating holidays of the past and less about making new memories.
For those people I suggest you call out for Clarence.
We all have a Clarence in the form of our inner voice that allows us,
if only for a moment, to embrace our Christmas spirit. So maybe we just
need to take a moment and listen to some traditional Christmas songs,
or watch children enjoy meeting Santa Claus for the first time.
As senior citizens, we unfortunately have had many disappointments
in our lives - lost loved ones, businesses, etc. Perhaps some even felt
at the time they could not go on; yet something inside of us pushed
through the valley of depression and allowed us to climb back upon
the mountain.
I propose it might have been your Clarence that helped you.
He reminded you that although things looked bad you did have a
wonderful gift to enjoy - your life.
As Clarence showed George Bailey how he touched many people in
his life, we should think about all the people we have had an influence
on in our lives. So I recommend, if you’re feeling depressed, for this
holiday season you ask to speak to your Clarence, because even with all
the immorality that is happening It’s Still a Wonderful Life.
Morris Heldt is a retired award winning film and television
producer and published author. He and his wife moved to the Las
Vegas valley from the beach in 2004.
8
December 2019