Newsletter – September 13, 2024
Photo Credit: Getty Images
My wife and I will be traveling to see family this week so I thought I’d share a Facebook post with you from a year ago. Tony Bennett had just died and I remembered a shaggy dog story that I had heard years ago and wrote it up from memory. Enjoy!
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I heard this one about 50 years ago. Time to dust it off and give it another run.
When Anthony died he found himself standing in front the Pearly Gates greeted by Saint Peter.
“Welcome, Anthony,” Saint Peter beamed, handing him his harp. “You’ve led a remarkable life and we’re all proud to welcome you into Heaven.”
Anthony hesitated. “I don’t want to sound ungrateful, and I’m so very happy to be here…”
“But…?”
“But today is my birthday and my dear friend Sam Frank is throwing me a big party tonight at his disco. He invited everyone and I promised him I would be there. I really don’t want to start the afterlife on a broken promise.”
Saint Peter thought about the situation. “Sometimes exceptions can be made in special circumstances. You can go to the party under two conditions.”
“I’ll do anything!”
“First, you must return by the last stroke of midnight. And, second, you must bring your harp with you to get back into Heaven.”
“I will. I will. Oh, thank you!”
With that the Pearly Gates faded away as the voice of Saint Peter reminded him what to do.
Anthony found himself standing in front of the disco where the doors opened wide and all his family and friends greeted him with open arms. Sam Frank embraced his friend, wished him a happy birthday and the party was under way.
It was the best, most memorable occasion for Anthony full of joyous reunions and warm remembrances. And it was all over too soon when Anthony heard the chiming of the clock counting down to midnight.
He hurriedly said goodbye to everyone and thanked his friend for the celebration of a lifetime. Rushing to beat the stroke of twelve, he arrived at the Pearly Gates just before the last chime.
“I knew you would be here on time,” Saint Peter smiled. “Now all you have to do is pluck your harp to open the Pearly Gates.”
“Oh, no!” Anthony wailed.
“You didn’t—”
“I left my harp in Sam Frank’s disco!”
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A couple of Facebook friends only replied with a groan, which I think is entirely appropriate. A good pun is often measured by the size of the groan.
TTFN!
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Eric Margerum 