"The time has come to say goodnight,
My how time does fly.
We've had a laugh, perhaps a tear,
and now we hear goodbye.
I really hate to say goodnight,
for times like these are few.
I wish you love and happiness,
In everthing you do.
The time has come to say goodnight,
I hope I've made a friend.
And so we'll say "May God bless you,"
Until we meet again."
"I personally believe we were put here to build and not to destroy. So if by chance some day you're not feeling well and you should remember some silly little thing I've said or done and it brings back a smile to your face or a chuckle to your heart - then my purpose as your clown has been fulfilled. Goodnight and may God bless."
9/18/1997
"The curtain has come down on the long run performance of Red Skelton.....Vaudeville.....then thirty movies....the seventeen years of TV....The son of a hoosier grocer became the ultimate clown.....he tried to teach us that entertainment didn't have to be dirty to be funny....but few had enough talent to follow that example. Red Skelton was a "little boy" until yesterday. when all at once he was 84."-----excerpt from the "Paul Harvey" newscast 9/18/97
More Skelton Links
DEAR MR. SKELTON,
When I was young, my grandfather and I would watch you on the television together. I'd be situated on his lap, or between his parted legs in "his chair." You made both of us smile and laugh.
You entertained us with your silliness. You were very silly.
Your ability to mime was extraordinary.
You touched the hearts of generations. As popular as your radio program was, its transformation to the TV screen illustrated all your God-given talents.
I miss you. And I miss my grandfather and his chair.
Time moves on, and the seasons still change. But I felt the sense of loss that late summer day in 1997 when you left us. Just as I did the day my grandfather left......we were less innocent, a little less silly, and a lot less better off.
I share your dreams and wishes. I hope that every heart I touch in my time will remember me with a smile. A smile produced because of something I said, or a face that I made. That Sir, I got from you.
Sincerely,
Michael Allen Henning Sr.
1968
1987
God Bless
