A friend of mine’s father passed away on this day in 2000. We were all saddened by this, as kids we expect the important people in our lives to live forever, but alas. He was not just a father to his children but, in a way, to all of us who grew up alongside his creations. Charles M. Schulz, the creator of the Peanuts comic strip, brought us a world of wit, warmth, and profound simplicity. His passing felt like losing a piece of childhood—a farewell to a friend who’d been with us through every season of life.
I first met the Peanuts gang on a cold winter day in Golden, BC. It was 1963 or ‘64, and my family was visiting friends who owned a television—a rarity for us back then. Snow piled high against the windows as I sat mesmerized by the flickering black-and-white images of A Charlie Brown Christmas. There they were: Charlie Brown, with his endearing mix of hope and despair; Lucy, full of bossy charm; Linus, wise beyond his years yet steadfastly clinging to his blanket; Snoopy, the dreamer who believed he could be anything; and the rest of the gang, each bringing their quirks and humanity to life.
In that moment, I became one of them. In years to come, I imagined myself standing next to Charlie Brown, trying to console him after yet another kite-flying disaster or botched baseball game. I could see myself marveling at Snoopy’s Red Baron antics or offering Linus a reassuring nod as he recited the Christmas story. They weren’t just characters on a screen or in a comic strip; they were my friends, and their world was one I could step into whenever life felt too big or too uncertain.
Through the years, the Peanuts gang never left my side. They’ve been companions in joy and solace in sorrow. Charlie Brown’s resilience reminded me that failure isn’t the end; Lucy’s unapologetic confidence taught me to stand tall; and Linus’ quiet faith encouraged me to believe in things unseen. Even now, at 67 years old, I look back and smile, grateful for the laughter, wisdom, and gentle truths these childhood friends have given me.
Schulz’s genius was in creating a world that spoke to the child in all of us. He captured the humor and heartache of growing up, the trials of friendship, and the magic of simple moments. The Peanuts gang taught us to embrace life with curiosity and compassion, and for that, I’ll always hold them close.
So here’s to Charles M. Schulz, the quiet artist who gave us a cast of characters we could call our own. And here’s to the Peanuts gang, my lifelong friends, who remind me that even in a world that often feels complicated, there is beauty in simplicity and joy in just being ourselves.
Thank you, Mr. Shultz, your kids a all doing fine!
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