“my mouth was filled with laughter”
Psalm 126:2
~
I was going to talk about something Christmassy today, but I’ve just spent about forty-five minutes laughing, unexpectedly.
So I’m going to talk about Victor Borge, instead.
Victor Borge was born in January of 1909, in Copenhagen, Denmark. He began piano lessons at the age of 2, and at the age of 9, he was awarded a full scholarship at the Royal Danish Academy of Music. I don’t know which of those facts amazes me more. At the age of two?? At the age of nine??
But even with that amazing piano talent, what I think of when I think of Victor Borge, is laughter. I can remember watching PBS with my parents when I was a child, and seeing Borge doing his “punctuation” humor. If you aren’t familiar with those bits, please please look them up on the internet. I couldn’t possibly explain it.
In the 1920s, Borge began doing performances that were part piano and part comedy. He toured Europe and lived in Denmark until World War II, when the Nazis occupied Denmark, at which time he escaped to Finland, and then the U.S. He was soon performing with Bing Crosby.
On TV, on stage… it seems he was prolific. I remember watching shows with my folks, as I said, but I think I saw him on Sesame Street, too. It’s a great talent, who can entertain adults and kids alike.
I find myself celebrating the life of Victor Borge today. He was multi-talented and completely unique, and I love that God designed the perfect life for him. I mean, I’m not a fan of Nazi occupation and people having to flee their countries, of course. I can’t imagine the lives that some people have to live ~ the trials, the inhumanity…
But I love that there was a place in this world for a classical piano-playing stand-up comic whose humor included making fun of Nazis, and making fun of punctuation.
Each one of us is uniquely gifted, and completely special. And each of us is living in the time and place chosen for us by God. Many of the circumstances in your life are right out of His hand, designed before the creation of the world, to grow you and shape you. You probably won’t ever be famous for your gifts, and for how remarkably “you” you are, but I hope you know you are the Apple of His Eye.
~ “Show Your marvelous lovingkindness
by Your right hand,
O you who save those who trust in You…
Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
Hide me under the shadow of Your wings” ~
Psalm 17:7,8
~
Light Expectations 