Ever since he was young, he knew that his time would come. The time when he’d be the center of attention. He’d heard the stories of how some of the others from the area had grown up to hit the big time. Now it was his turn — this was the year he’d become a star — and he was ready.
People came from afar to admire his physique. He stood tall and he stood strong. A fine specimen with unabashed pride. And the fact of the matter was, his services were available to those who were willing to pay.
If truth be told, however, it wasn’t the money that was important to him, it never was. It was the chance to excel at what he — and others like him — were bred to do. He was a natural. More appropriately, he was the best of what nature could provide. He was an evergreen tree. Specifically, a Douglas fir.
And he was in his prime — ready to be picked from the crowded field and get on with his calling. His life’s ambition was at hand — soon he’d be the centerpiece of someone’s holiday season. Decked out in the glitz of his shiny uniform, his very presence would warm the hearts of those who saw him. He would charm smiles from the cold-hearted and hypnotize the young with his glitter. People of all ages would line up to have their picture taken with him. He was the charismatic star attraction.
But fame is fleeting. And he knew that — it goes with the job. The season comes and goes quickly. Eventually, the magic disappears and the illusion evaporates. What once was bewitching to those who stood in awe, soon grows old. Made obsolete by the passage of time, he no longer served any useful purpose.
Broken by the long season, he was dragged naked to the curb. The indignity of being tossed in with the unwanted was degrading. His limbs battered and bruised, he no longer resembled the powerful and proud specimen he once was. He was a has been. No longer did people want his picture — especially in his ugly nakedness. That would simply be unbearable.
Amusing little story for you, huh? I hope you enjoyed it. Join me here next week when I re-submit the same story — with a few minor tweaks — and retitle it “The Brett Favre Story.”
Or save me the trouble and reread this — just change the word “holiday” to football, and change any references of “tree” to Brett Favre and, by golly, you're set to go.
Happy birthday, Mom. I think of you often.
And that’s the way it looks from the Valley.
Tom Valley is a Medina resident. His column appears every Thursday. Contact him at tvalley@rochester.rr.com.
Tom Valley
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Tom Valley is a Medina resident. His column appears every Thursday. Contact him at tvalley@rochester.rr.com.
FROM THE VALLEY: A tale of two pities
- Tom Valley
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FROM THE VALLEY: Soap operas: Before and under siege
It’s been announced that two long-time running soap operas have been canceled and will cease production. The classics “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” will air their final shows in September and January, respectively. Both serials ventured into areas never seen before on daytime television.
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FROM THE VALLEY: Music award shows need a swan song
Seriously, can it get any more narcissistic than the music industry’s penchant for self-congratulatory award shows?
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FROM THE VALLEY: Wardrobe and brain malfunctions
It’s easy to separate those politicians who are in the game for self-promotion versus those who are truly altruistic and want to serve for the betterment of society. You simply lump them all together because there seems to be none of the latter.
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FROM THE VALLEY: The whole unholy and holy truth
I get the urge to play prosecutor and ask questions. I’d like a shot at eliminating the extraneous, circumventing and sometimes contradictory information I’m being forced to accept.
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FROM THE VALLEY: A tale of two pities
Ever since he was young, he knew that his time would come. The time when he’d be the center of attention. He’d heard the stories of how some of the others from the area had grown up to hit the big time. Now it was his turn — this was the year he’d become a star — and he was ready.
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FROM THE VALLEY: It’s in the Trump cards
As December drew to a close, I had thoughts of doing a column on prognostication — predicting what the new year would bring. Unfortunately, my psychic ability is as non-existent as a Mother Theresa break-dancing manual.
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FROM THE VALLEY: The search for the perfect gift
My wife and I took the opportunity to do a little Christmas shopping the day before Thanksgiving. We thought by going then, we’d beat the Black Friday rush.
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VALLEY: Molly is a special little girl
I was talking to my neighbor, Sue, the other day and she told me that they were having a benefit spaghetti dinner for their granddaughter, Molly.
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VALLEY: Write place at the wrong time
Whether or not you’ve noticed, this column has not been in the paper (or online) over the last few weeks. I took some time off — as I did last year — to vacation on the St. Lawrence River.
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FROM THE VALLEY: Maggie’s first trip to the river
The old saying is that there are two sides to every story. Most likely, you’ve heard that before. In today’s column, I’ll demonstrate just how accurate that adage really is.
- More Tom Valley Headlines
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Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
