I grew up on a highway. (Well, not “on” the highway, but you know what I mean.)
There were some great things about this. I remember having a pool as kids, and not being too concerned about who saw you wearing what…or not wearing what. We played football in our front yard, and rode bikes up and down a driveway that was as long as a city block. You could sit on the roof on the back side of our house and see the sunset over miles of fields.
But then, there were a few downsides, too. I remember riding my bike for miles to be there early in the morning when our city’s very own McDonald’s opened. Or making a long list of things needed from the grocery store, because we couldn’t imagine running all the way into town just because we didn’t have ketchup for burgers that night. Mustard never tasted so good.
Then I went to college, where everything was contained in one giant bubble. Life was a bit TOO close. You ate in the same building you retrieved your mail, shopped for books, and met for foosball tournaments. Eventually, I was spit out as a college graduate. I was married, and had everything I needed to begin life as an official “adult.”
I’ve been meaning to share this forever, and yet it continued to be pushed to the back burner. As if there’s anything more important going on? A few years ago, a movie was released that changed the landscape of “Muppet Movies” forever. Taken to a whole new production level, this modern take on the community known as “The Muppets” was instantly a hit in my book. Even with the acknowledgement of drama between the production and Frank Oz (missed him, for sure).
But one of the significant tragedies that happened concerns a major plot element that is never actually revealed in the movie!
The “evil villain” in this movie features “Tex Richman”, an oil baron with an axe to grind against The Muppets. He wants to exploit the land Muppet Studios is located on, and shows visible contempt for Kermit and his pals. But what we never hear in the movie itself is WHY Tex Richman dislikes the Muppets. We get a small hint, as he goes off with his odd way of celebrating something he thinks is funny. He doesn’t laugh, but rather says the words, “Maniacal Laugh!!” over and over again, in an evil-sounding voice.
Thankfully, my family and I knew the back-story. Not because we knew Tex Richman personally, but simply because we’d purchased “The Muppets” soundtrack way before the movie was released. There’s a song within the movie where Tex Richman introduces himself. It’s pretty entertaining, and has a catchy tune you’ll want to sing along. But in the movie itself, an important part of the song is missing – the musical interlude where Tex gives a heartbreaking story that happened to him as a boy. The story is sung as follows:
“I recall a heart breaking story
About my own 10th birthday party
Should’ve been glorious day for me
I’d have been happy as can be
But the Muppets were there to put on a show
They started to dance they were telling their jokes
I didn’t laugh…
I didn’t know how…
Then my friends they all turned around
And they laughed at me…
They laughed at me…
And I hate you Muppets so”
Especially in a heart-breaking operatic tone, one can’t help but be sympathetic to Mr.Richman, and want terribly to find the redemptive moment in the movie where, inspired by the heart of Kermit, he’s given a chance to laugh. Unfortunately, this peek into his childhood is covered up in the film. Buried under what remains to be a solid bit of rich entertainment, the story is only known by those who have listened to the soundtrack.
But it begs the question: Will Tex Richman ever learn to laugh? Will Kermit and his Rainbow Connection be powerful enough to conquer the walls that have been built up over the years of this hardened heart? Or will he be forced to chant “maniacal laugh!!!” for the remainder of his days?
I sincerely hope that at some point in a future movie, we will all get a chance to learn what has become of this boy who became a man who never knew the joy of laughter. Until then, every Muppet movie that continues to be made, although it will make me smile and laugh, will in a small way simply be avoiding the issue. This is a public plea for Kermit and his friends to face the issue honestly, and show Tex Richman what a life lived with laughter can be like.
Okay friends & family, it’s finally that time again. I can’t give all the details in a public post, but if you’d like to know more please give me a call. (And no, in case you’re trolling here, we’re not preparing to go around the DRC Government in ANY way. We love and respect the people of hte DRC, and look forward to a life of our family being invested in their future.) In any case, we’ve hit a point in our adoption where we need to raise more funds.
Yes, the country is still not issuing “Exit Letters”, until new laws/processes are in place to better protect the children. We are continuing to move forward within the country, through the parts of the process still allowed, believing that we want to be as ready as possible when those doors open once again. This also means providing for her care in the meantime.
Even in the midst of significant wait and what seems to be a hopeless road, there have been great steps moving toward us bringing home this child we’ve been praying over 2 years for. We are so thankful for the generosity and prayers of so many of you. We’ve even added something new for your fundraising enjoyment!!
1. Wick’s BandCamp Page – Trying something new! Here you will be able to buy individual spoken words, as well as a couple songs I threw on there for fun. 100% of every dollar goes toward our adoption fund! I’ve plenty more spoken words that will eventually be uploaded if ya’ll like these. If I only sell a couple, I’ll just tell my mom thanks and move on. 🙂
2. Amazon Books – Both my self-published parenting book and the Children’s Book we created with our kids are available for digital purchase on Amazon.com. A large chunk of every sale comes right to me, and goes directly into our adoption fund!
3. Giving through “Both Hands” – Since the very beginning with our first service project, they’ve been our most popular method of giving/receiving funds for this adoption. Donations are tax deductible, and you can mail them a check or simply give online!!
As you’re preparing for the Holidays, we hope & pray you’ll consider one of these options. Even in place of sending us a Christmas card, just download an mp3 and send me a video of you laughing at it. 🙂 Or in place of a gift, throw a few bucks out to “Both Hands”, and e-mail me a Merry Christmas. But above all, please continue to pray. Not just for our family or our children, but pray for the entire DRC. Pray for their government and their leaders, as their senate continues to meet. Pray for the areas where rebels continue to break out in fighting. Pray for those who are overlooked in the shuffle and quest for power and influence. Pray for the stability and future of these beautiful people, and the preservation of their rich heritage in the midst of a world that is realizing more and more, the value of their nation.
words from wick 