Remember When: A gift from friends

By RF Callahan CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Just what do we expect from our friends at Christmas? It could be anything and at times something we would least expect. Lena and Dean Stamoulis of Shrewsbury gave us a most memorable gift: Two tickets to the Hanover Theater in Worcester to see “A Christmas Carol,” the classic holiday story written by Charles Dickens. We cannot think of a better present.

Never having had the opportunity of viewing the stage performance and when friends gave us tickets to go to the theater, we jumped at the opportunity to go. Their young son Peter portrayed Tiny Tim, the little crippled boy. Peter was a little guy and at seven perfect for the part.

Now this little guy has always been special to us because for several years we babysat him and his older brother Nicholas. In fact, both have been special to us in the past years when we had that pleasurable job of tending to the little rascals from the time since they were three months old until they began school.

At the theater, the tickets were waiting, compliments of Peter’s mom and dad. What a great Christmas present. The classic Victorian-designed auditorium was beautiful, comfortable and accommodating. Santa was there and a better Santa could not be found.

We sat in front row seats with the family and a better set of seats in the house was not available. The beautiful organ began playing the music on a moving platform built to drop down to reveal the show for the next two hours, and a great two hours it was because the acting and musical performance were magnificent.

It is a fact that when Peter was asked to test for the part of Tiny Tim there was no other thought to enter the minds of the producers than to choose him. He was picked since his character, size and personality was evidently the best choice for that part. How could one not smile in joy when Tiny Tim in his poor children’s garb and wearing a leg brace with a wrapped up cloth and stick crutch is beyond me. Along with the excellent acting and singing of the players, to us, Tiny Tim stole the show.

All who know him will agree that Peter is the type of little boy every one wants to pick up and give a big hug, and never a day came when we did not enjoy tending the needs of both he and his brother. Peter’s quick wit to say funny things is natural with him. It has always been so with him that he enjoys making people laugh and smile at his remarks. He is much like a comedian that needs no rehearsals to do a show. I am sure that to the producers and staff he was a joy.

He came over to us after the show and I said to him, “Peter, you were a hit.” His replied, “I guess I was.” Then he turned to my wife Carol and said, “ It was like a dream come true.” I am sure the audience was equally positive of Peter’s talents when at the end of the performance sitting atop of the fellow players shoulders he tipped his hat to them.

In the future Peter will go through life making people around him laugh and smile because that was what God made him to do. The family will not force him in future years to do this acting thing. They will let him be a kid and grow up normally. He will make his life as he sees it to be and continue to be the great pleasure he has always been.