Updated 12-24-24 :
This Christmas Eve, fresh off watching a version of ‘A Christmas Carol’ (the Muppets version for nostalgia’s sake) I’ve pondered what continuing the story of Tiny Tim Cratchit would look like. After all, as Charles Dickens exclaimed, ‘Tiny Tim, who did not die!’
During his time, sickness was rampant in England and across the world. Our medical developments of a vaccine just were not there. I ask myself, how would Tiny Tim Cratchit stay upbeat as he battled his illnesses and saw sickness in others as he grew up?
I always hoped that ‘Tiny Tim’ would stay upbeat, as spirited and as smiling as ever before. I always hoped nothing could hurt his precious soul that Scrooge came to love so much. Yet, if I were to write his continued story, I do believe the reality would be he persevered through hard times. As a child, he didn’t seem to care about his sickness, he just wanted to have an amazing time and share his love. It’s easy for people to get depressed about their condition around this time, and I often wonder if Tiny Tim as he got older ever soured or worse, got addicted to something. Growing up, he probably would become cognizant of his differences, and I would write that he would find the positives of the day amidst a world that likes to drench us in negativity.
I probably would write his story through my eyes, and he would be a thriving 29 year old (now 33 years old), who in the midst of this pandemic, still keeps wits about himself (so much so I survived the pandemic and knocked out COVID 2x since writing this). I think he may be down at times, but never out!
As a kid growing up, my dad would carry me on his shoulders to St. Thomas Church Christmas morning, my crutches flanking both his shoulders as we walked across Park Avenue from E. 44th and then up the spirited 5th Avenue to 53rd and 5th. With his encouragement, after the service , I used to greet everyone in the aisles and wish them Merry Christmas. After church, we’d come home to a beautiful turkey and beautiful set up my mom had made for the whole gift-opening craze of the day.
Would you believe, last year at age 28 (and in the years following), I still wished parishioners a Merry Christmas like I did at age 6? It is a tradition thing but it also felt GOOD. It keeps the adult me in line with the Christmas spirit instilled through the love of my parents and family over the years at Christmastime. I definitely missed church that Christmas season, but we got to back in the years following. My dad , who passed away in April 2023, visited St. Thomas one last time in January 2023. Just yesterday , I got to see my dad now memorialized at his home church and my childhood, Good Shepherd Weehawken Lutheran Church, on 12/23/24.
Back to Tiny Tim, I also would write that he kept his sentimentality through the years, and I hope you out there have kept sentiments along the way during this very tough time.
When watching the Muppets version this time around, I have come to feel a bit more cynical than I’d like to admit. I’ve had relationships fail, I’ve felt lonely and sometimes have felt that lost feeling. Yet, when I see Tiny Tim’s smile , I am reminded HOPE IS NOT LOST! It’s true, I was single when I first wrote this in 2020, but I’m happy to report that I am HAPPILY engaged to one Gabriella Pisani as we turned a prior failed relationship into something beautiful this time around! She’s even enjoyed A Christmas Carol this year during recovery from brain surgery! As for me, I would write that Tiny Tim as he got older gave a shot at love and friendship every chance he can! The disability community doesn’t have to hide, and Mr. Scrooge carrying Tiny Tim on his shoulders is a prime example, I would certainly write that Tim Cratchit would not hide himself as he got older!
I’ve also come to grips that the snapping a finger and everything working out mentality doesn’t work always and this Christmas, I realize the gift is that my family snapped the fingers with me to make things work! I’ve also wondered since passing a gallstone if Tiny Tim would have to endeavor something as serious as he got older. Having pushed through the gallstone episode, I am even more thankful to get to see Christmas once again and to see this Christmas Carol unfold once again!
This Christmas, I’m also thankful to be able to work and keep a job while millions have sadly lost theirs or have not fully recovered their career due to COVID era . I’m thankful that all three of my parents were there to see Christmas 2020 and truly survived it! We miss my dad this Christmas Eve but I know he’s watching over us in spirit. They have taught me to speak up for myself, to fight for what I deserve and to most importantly put my head down and keep going!
I see a parallel of that same love with the Cratchit Family, which is why I feel so akin to the character. The Christmas lights brighten my spirits just as much as seeing Tiny Tim’s smile and tenacity. Watching his story again, I firmly know hope is not lost, and I would certainly encourage Mr. Dickens that hope is not lost for the adult Tiny Tim Cratchit.
PS: A real-life friend named Carlos ‘Tiny Tim’ is thriving and a couple years ago had a baby with his beloved! So Yes, Mr. Dickens, there are thriving adult ‘Tiny Tim’ figures in this world!
OneLegUpAlex 