These many years later, I’m ashamed to say that about all I knew about him was I think his name was Jimmy. Isn’t that sad that I'm not even sure that was his name?
For the four years (1960-64) that I was in college I would pass him most days. I would pass him as I was going from my class to work at the Terre Haute First National Bank. A place I worked from 1957 to graduating college in 1964. Rain, sleet, snow, and sunshine, made little difference as he would always be there.
When you are young sadly you don’t pay as much attention to a lot of things as you should. Often with I hear this song I think of Jimmy.
Pretty paper, pretty ribbons of blue
Wrap your presents to your darling from you
Pretty pencils to write I love you
Pretty paper, pretty ribbons of blue
Crowded streets, busy feet hustle by you
Downtown shoppers Christmas is nigh
There he sits all alone on the sidewalk
Hoping that you won't pass him by
Should you stop better not much too busy
Better hurry my, my how time does fly
And in the distance the ringing of laughter
And in the midst of the laughter he cries
Pretty paper, pretty ribbons of blue
Wrap your presents to your darling from you
Pretty pencils to write I love you
We all need to take a minute when we see the “Jimmy’s” in life…they are out there…we just need to look and when asking ourselves “should you stop”….yes…we should.
December 1, 2012
Keep on
Larry Adamson