5/17/2010 - Tom Smith

Yesterday was the 20th anniversary of the death of one of my favorite people ever, Jim Henson. Anyone who has ever picked up a puppet, who has ever performed in front of an audience, has something to thank Jim Henson for. He elevated the art of puppetry beyond anything it had ever seen before and gave the world the puppet icon to this day. The Muppets lost their way for years after the death of Jim Henson and I think they are barely starting to get back on track 20 years later. His creativity, his dreams, his rainbow chasing is too hard to replace and only be hoped to be imitated. I saw a speech by Frank Oz from Jim's memorial service that said that Jim Henson was a great appreciator, one who can stand back and see the good even in the mistakes and appreciate it. Frank said that the pose he remembers Jim in is not with the puppet on his hand but with his arms crossed, watching a TV and smiling at the work being done, appreciating it. I think that's inspirational, to appreciate what is there as another moment to laugh, love and live.
This song isn't funny. You may want to grab some tissue. It is "A Boy and His Frog" by Tom Smith. Thank you Jim for the fond memories that still guide me to chase the rainbows, move right along through good news and bad news, and see the world through the eyes of puppets.
"A Boy and His Frog":

Lyrics
Life is unfair, so they tell me,
Because they think I wouldn't know.
They only can see a cheap gimmick
On their children's favorite show.

They say, "Oh, that's just foam and a wire,
Attached to a green velvet sleeve,
Anyone can do that" -- well, that's true, I suppose,
But who else could make them believe?

What can I say without you there to guide me?
How else am I supposed to give?
How can I sing without you there beside me?
How else am I supposed to live?

You could never just do the expected,
I was just an idea in a bog,
But you sewed up your dream and we made quite a team,
Jim and Kermit, a boy and his frog.

It was me, Rolph, and you, but I think that he knew
There was something that you and I had.
The magic we made just kept growing,
And none of it ever was bad.

Then came Ernie and Scooter and Gonzo,
Doctor Teeth, Cookie Monster, and more.
But now all of those voices are silent,
And I want to go on... but what for?

No one can make me what you did,
No one could walk in your shoes,
Nothing can make me forget you,
But that's not a thing that I'd choose.

I can't just let it be over,
And you wouldn't want it that way,
So I'll stand up and I'll face it,
And, though not quite in your voice, I'll say:

I will go on without you there to guide me,
There's so much more I can give.
Whenever I sing, you will be there beside me,
As long as I keep you, you'll live.

We just wanted to make people happy,
I was always much more than your toy.
I will never regret and I'll never forget
What we had,
I'll miss you, Dad,
This frog and his boy.