Why Goofy is My Hero

I have loved Goofy ever since I was a very young girl. I received my first Goofy when I was 3 years old. I had been visiting my aunt, and she and her family had recently returned from Disney World. They had brought home 2 Goofy's and I had latched onto one during our visit. At the end of the visit, my aunt gave me Goofy. Years later I realized this probably belonged to one of my cousins; I can only hope he did not love Goofy as much as I did.









Over the years I have collected various other Goofy memorabilia. I have Goofy coffee cups, Goofy earrings, Goofy watches (my favorite one was my backwards watch - it ran counterclockwise!), figurines, house shoes, movies, cookie jar, etc. If it had Goofy on it, it ended up with me (not in a scary, shoplifting kind of way). I have not had a chance to add anything to my collection since I had children who clearly inherited the Goofy loving gene. After my son became a toddler, he claimed several of my small stuffed Goofy's as his own, and was especially tempted by my Goofy stockcar. I packed away most of my collection until a time when it is not so tempting to little hands.













I still have my original Goofy, as seen in this picture. We have been through many tough and good times together. He has had multiple nose and hand transplants (thank heavens for the wonders of pantyhose), has lost an eye, had a little girl pull his ear off (much to my horror - I was 5 and promptly pushed her down and started whaling on her. You DO NOT touch my Goofy. I am not quite as hypersensitive about sharing Goofy now. Most days, that is.). He lost his original clothing years ago. When I was young, my grandmother made him a little suit out of some sort of gray pinstripe material (she was an excellent seamstress). No one had a spiffier Goofy than myself. Unfortunately that snazzy suit did not survive the depredations of childhood. Goofy even went to college with me, and soberly presided over my dorm room.

Most of the time Goofy lives in my bottom drawer, safe from prying and sticky fingers. I love my children and would share anything with them EXCEPT Goofy. Remember, you do not touch my Goofy. The rule applies even if you sprang from my womb. I do admit, however, that Goofy still gets pulled out when I am sick for cuddling.

One reason I love Goofy so much is that he is always so joyful. No matter what is happening, Goofy is always happy and having a great time. He might not understand the joke is on him. Or he may understand and not give a darn (I hope I am as comfortable in my own skin one day). He is a loyal friend, always looking out for Mickey and willing to take part in whatever Mickey has going on. He doesn't even mind being upstaged by the less-talented and more obnoxious Donald Duck. When he falls down he promptly gets back up and goes at it again. Also, Goofy never takes himself too seriously. That is a quality I find endearing and which I think helps you get through life. There are just going to be too many occasions where you fall on your behind in this life. You might as well laugh at yourself and have a little fun in the process.

I think life would be happier for us all if we took Goofy for our role model; if we decided to always enjoy life, no matter if it is the life we planned. To get back up when we fall. To laugh even as others laugh at us. To be comfortable in our own skin. To be a true and loyal friend. In short, to be full of graciousness and love.