Such a nice way to describe how memories broaden and deepen with understanding over time. And you’ve made me eager to hear some of those “wild, riotous” memories of yours. Please do share—if you feel comfortable doing so, that is.

Marlo, Your Dad would be so proud of you. I remember watching The Danny Thomas Show when I was a kid. Who knew he was doing so much good for so many people. You have continued that legacy and what you have done for St. Judes is absolutely amazing. Your dad must be smiling as he watches you help so many children. Linda Franklin www.therealcougarwoman.com

WHEN I WAS A CHILD AND WATCHED DANNY THOMAS SHOWS I THOUGHT HE WAS THE BEST DADDY IN THE WORLD. THEN I GOT A LITTLE OLDER, THEN I SEE DANNY THOMAS IN MOVIES AND WITH DORIS DAY MY FAVORITE FEMALE IN THE WORLD..OHH MY GOSH HOW WONDERFUL IT WOULD BE TO BE LOVED BY THEM. IT WAS SO GOOD OF A FEELING TO THINK I COULD PUT DANNY IN THE PLACE OF MY DADDY ( BECAUSE I NEVER GREW UP MUCH WITH MY OWN DADDY BECAUSE HE WAS IN THE WAR.MY DAD NEVER RETIRED UNTIL I WAS THE MOMMY OF 6 KIDS AND HAD BEEN MARRIED FOR A FEW YEARS. ARMY WAS MY DADS LIFE NOT ME.) GOING ON WITH MY PRETEND DADDY NOW . AS I GREW I LEARNED MY DADDY HAD CONNECTIONS WITH A ST JUDES HOSPITAL AND LITTLE KIDS ALSO LOVED “MY DADDY” HE TALKED AND HE VISITED WITH THEM. I NEVER GET A VISIT. WHEN I WAS A GROWEN UP WITH A FAMILY OF MY OWN MY HUSBAND GOT TO JOIN THE V.F.W. AND THEY HAD A CLUB CALLED THE” COOTIES” AND THE “COOTIES” WAS A PART OF THE ST JUDES ASSOCIATION. MY HUSBAND AND I JOINED . WE COLLECTED MONEY FOR THE ST JUDES HOSPITAL CHILDREN. I WAS CLOSE ONLY TO MARLOS DADDY THAT WAY BUT I DID WORK HARD FOR THAT ORGANIZATION. THAT IS MY STORY ABOUT PRETEND DADDY DANNY. I AM GLAD MARLO THAT YOU TOOK GOOD CARE OF YOUR DADDY FOR ME. THank you.

Remember with great fondness the Danny Thomas dinner show in the late sixties at Harrah’s in Reno. What a wonderful entertainer. I cherish the memories……..

Childhood should be the happiest time in a person’s life. Although my father only came home once every week from the horse track, I have such great memories with him. For example, sister Kim and I would travel with Dad to Hastings, where he sometimes trained/kept horses. I can still hear Paul & Linda McCartney singing on the radio that great old song, “Uncle Albert”. To get a ride around the track on the harness buggy with Dad was grand. Or to play table hockey on Sunday night before I had to go to bed, knowing I wouldn’t see him again for two incredibly long weeks. Dad would give Kim and I a smooch on the cheek goodnight. I can still feel his whiskers in my mind. Isn’t it utterly amazing how something so incredibly long ago resonates in the mind like it happened yesterday? I speculate that, in heaven, we will look like young adults in angelic form, but the child in all of us will show through. For the child in us is really our best form, is it not? Jesus called on us to be like children. Let us think of the children at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) heading into the holiday season. God bless to one and all, and to all…a goodnight.

Marlo - you’ve brought back memories for me, too. I just loved The Danny Thomas show. Your Dad brought hours of happiness into my family’s home!

Ms. Thomas, to my mind, what your family has achieved just gives others a bright line for what is possible. St. Jude alone, even minus the entertainment, is an amazing contribution to our society. Sparklers of gratitude!