Snowboy

Once upon a time, but not that long ago, a snowboy lived at the North Pole.  He was a happy kind of fellow, but he knew something was missing in his life. Once a year, he traveled south to entertain children and grownups as an icon of the winter season.  He endured having his head lopped off by overly active boys, being strangled with mufflers from well-meaning young girls, having sticks shoved into his shoulders to serve as arms, and rocks stuck into his head for eyes. And then there was the inevitable carrot pushed into his face.

He was patient — after all, he was over 200 years old and thought the purpose of his life was to keep people happy before he melted.  His mission was to make winter a sentimental experience. Films and songs had been created to celebrate him. He was proud.

But he was wistful. He wanted more in his life.  His dream was to dance with the Rockettes in New York City in the Radio City Christmas Show.  He daydreamed about wearing the amazing sparkling costumes and headdresses, glittery tap shoes, and dancing in synchrony with the other 35 girls. He longed for legs and kicking it up in the chorus line.

So, this year on his visit to New York’s Central Park, Snowboy screwed up his courage and rolled over to Radio City on Sixth Avenue and held vigil at the stage door to see how he might achieve his dream.  As luck or destiny would have it, he met a lovely young lady who stopped to talk to him on her way out of the theater.  He told her about his dream, and she shared that was also her dream as a girl growing up in Columbus, Ohio.

It was also his amazing luck (although there are no coincidences) that Ohio Rockette was a magician. She looked intensely at Snowboy and asked if this dream was really what he wanted.  “Yes, and yes,” he said. She told him to report back to Radio City for the 2:00 show in three days to make his debut on the big stage.

Snowboy was overwhelmed with gratitude. It made the next few days in Central Park bearable while he was attacked by snowballs and shaped and reshaped. Now he had stars in his eyes.

Snowboy showed up at the stage door right on time, and Ohio Rockette brought him in, cast a spell on him, and took him to the dressing room she shared with Nevada Rockette.  Her roommate had unexpectedly taken ill, so Snowboy could step into her place.

The spell gave Snowboy a Rockette body that was 5’8” tall, with muscular legs, a slim body and a face that radiated happiness. He was ecstatic. The costumes and wigs were better than he hoped for. The music, precision dancing with the other Rockettes, and the energy in the audience was more than he could have ever imagined. Snowboy was transported into a fantasy land of unrepressed optimism in the iconic Art Deco theater. His favorite part was being the last toy soldier to fall as all 35 Rockettes collapsed onto him in slow motion.

The show went flawlessly. Snowboy was in an exalted state of happiness.  As soon as the show ended, Ohio Rockette walked him back to the stage door, hugged him, and said, “You have experienced a waking dream.  It may not be your purpose in life, but it is a kick start to believe in yourself and making all your dreams come true.  Never doubt yourself.  And remember, the only person that can make you feel badly about yourself  is you.  Don’t let others have power over your feelings when they roll you around in the snow.”

Snowboy left transformed.  He realized that he had been thinking all wrong and that he could actually help children of all ages experience the magic of snow and the holiday season.

The moral of this story? Don’t defer your dreams … chase them before you melt!

Written By: Deborah Pattton

Designed By: John Krivicich

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