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  "path": "/blog/2025/12/24/meetings-partings/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=main",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-12T17:07:17.428Z",
  "site": "https://stephenyeargin.com",
  "tags": [
    "Everett Patterson",
    "piece from 2014 with subtle and not-so-subtle references to the Christmas story through a modern lens"
  ],
  "textContent": "We recently took our daughter to see _A Muppet Christmas Carol_ at The Belcourt. It is a personal favorite, and a lot of folks highlight that it is one of the most faithful adaptations of the Charles Dickens original text. The redemption story of Ebenezer Scrooge from a cold, tight-fisted miser to the most generous host is built into the fabric of the holiday season.\n\nThere is a line in the movie spoken by Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit, which takes a bit of creative license as it does not appear in the original text and is often misattributed to Dickens:\n\n> _Life is made up of meetings and partings; that is the way of it. I am sure that we shall never forget Tiny Tim, or this first parting that there was among us._\n\nIt is said as a reminder to those assembled that we're only around for a little while, and to cherish both the memories as well as the opportunities to make the world a little brighter. In that scene, Scrooge shares in their loss in a way he was seemingly incapable of before that evening's events.\n\nThe true meaning of Christmas: Haunting the wealthy until they discover altruism.\n\nSamantha lost her dad to pancreatic cancer last month. This has been hard on both her and our daughter, who at five and a half has a solid grasp of the finality of death, but still has a lot of questions. This is one of those first partings we will never forget.\n\nIllustrator Everett Patterson has a piece from 2014 with subtle and not-so-subtle references to the Christmas story through a modern lens. In addition to the various amusing easter eggs in it, it has a central message of hope in spite of the odds, symbolized by the small glowing plant that spouts through a crack in the sidewalk.\n\nThere is a lot of darkness in the world, and far too many Scrooges that are regrettably yet to be haunted. Our selfish and consumer-driven society makes despair and cynicism the default. Still, we can choose to find joy in the season and extend love to our family, friends, and everyone we meet -- with grateful prayer and a thankful heart.\n\nFrom our home to yours, Merry Christmas!",
  "title": "Meetings and Partings",
  "updatedAt": "2025-12-25T05:10:00.000Z"
}