In Memory of a Shutter-Bug (A Christmas Story)

Back when I was editor-in-chief of the now-defunct Photo Techniques magazine, one of my duties was to sort through the many letters the magazine received to find a few short ones to print. As happens at any magazine, among the many ordinary inquiries were a variety of epistolary missiles from an always-entertaining assortment of cranks and crackpots. One enigmatic correspondent, for instance, sent us a perfectly mediocre drugstore snapshot of a field with a nondescript tree stump in the middle distance. On the back was written, "I just thought this was a pretty nice stump." Still makes me laugh.

Evening brandy
During one period that lasted half a year or so we received a succession of long, rambling, often angry letters from one particular reader, one after each issue was published. Each letter inventoried an astonishing number of grievances. The letter-writer seemed so dissatisfied that I found myself wondering why he subscribed to the magazine at all. After the second or third of these, I was so puzzled that I got his phone number from our circulation records and called him.

I didn't get through to him that day, but he returned my call sometime later and admitted that he had cleared up a mystery. Evidently he subscribed to a large number of magazines. When he received an issue in the mail, he would read it during the day, and then, in the evening, get very drunk on brandy...in which state he would write long, impassioned letters-to-the-editor, reacting, in quite oblique and unnecessarily detailed fashion, to everything he'd read—and a lot more besides. Then in the morning he'd find the letters on the mantlepiece and throw them in the fireplace.

But it seemed that recently he had not been finding his letters in the morning any more. Not being entirely sure of his own actions—due, no doubt, to his somewhat compromised memories of the evenings prior—he assumed he had simply stopped writing the letters. But after receiving my call, he did some detective work, and discovered (or so he said) that his newly-hired housekeeper had been finding the letters in the mornings and, to be helpful, mailing them for him, looking up the addresses in the issues of the magazines that lay on the couch or coffee table.

If this was a lie, it seemed a needlessly complicated one. At any rate, he apologized profusely, sounding sincerely ashamed. He said again and again that he just wrote the letters to blow off steam and never intended for them to be sent. He also said he had no idea how many other letters had gotten mailed that way, or what he might have said in any of them—though we both agreed there had probably been some doozies!

The man with complaints
An even more puzzling case, at least until one of my colleagues figured it out, was a particular reader who sent a long complaint to the Circulation Department early one December. They quickly dispatched his problem, but soon got another letter even more out of sorts than the first. No sooner was that one answered than a third one arrived. The Circulation assistant, a lovely older woman named Fran who had the most beautiful manners, brought the matter to my attention because, despite the complainant's insistant tone, it seemed his complaints didn't have much...well, substance.

Fran did what she could, corresponding with him several times in the process. Then, a few days into January, Fran got one last letter. It came from the same reader but was written in a completely different tone—warm, friendly, and effusive, thanking her again and again for all her help.

And that seemed to be the end of it.

...Until the next December, that is. The next year, the same thing happened again—similar complaints from the very same subscriber. Fran checked his records and noted that during the year there had been an address change for him—from a street address to a nursing home—and she got an idea about what was going on. The fellow just got lonely with Christmas looming, she figured, and would initiate complaints to businesses he had dealings with so he'd have a little human interaction during the holidays!

So the next year, Fran was ready: she wrote him a nice long letter in early December! Ostensibly it was to check on his subscription, referencing his issues of the years before, asking cordially about his current service, and, along the way, putting in a good deal of chatty news from the various departments of the magazine.

This time, she got the last letter first—a positively delighted letter dripping with gratitude. Which she answered, of course.

Well, this went on for several years. Every December, Fran and some of the others in the Circulation Department would exchange a series of semi-businesslike but very cordial letters with that reader in the nursing home. For a couple of years we even passed a Christmas card for him around the office that everyone would sign. Fran learned a great deal about him—when his wife had died, how his daughters had grown up and moved away, and so on. He didn't even have a darkroom any more since moving to the nursing home (Photo Techniques had begun as Darkroom Techniques, and was still largely a darkroom magazine)—he just kept taking the magazine to "keep current." Perhaps it reminded him of happier times.

Then one year Fran got bad news. Our pen-pal's copy of the magazine was returned with the words "DECEASED—PLEASE CANCEL" scrawled across the mailing label.

Well, let me tell you...none of us ever had laid eyes on that guy. Not one of us would have known him if we'd passed him on the sidewalk. But more than a few tears were shed around the office that day, in memory of a resourceful old shutter-bug who used to get lonely right around this time of year.

So have a kind word for someone you seldom see this holiday, and maybe send a card. Sometimes, even an incidental amount of human contact is a little gift of kindness, all by itself.

Mike
(Illustration: Stan and Theresa Noyszewski's Christmas tree)

First published on TOP on December 11th, 2006.

Original contents copyright 2014 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site.

(To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.)
Featured Comments from:

Dennis Mook: "back in the early 1970s, when I was a young police officer, I encountered an older gentleman by the side of the city street who was raising a ruckus. This was about the first week in December as I remember it was quite cold outdoors.

"A small group of concerned citizens, pointing to him, flagged me down. I stopped my patrol car and pulled to the side of the street. As I exited my unit, immediately I realized the individual of concern was probably drunk as he was unsteady on his feet, swearing up a storm and being generally disorderly. The others around him were concerned as he was trying to provoke a fight with several of them.

"At this point, I approached the gentleman to fully assess his condition and understand if, in fact, he was intoxicated or maybe ill. Previously, I had dealt with individuals suffering from Alzheimer's and diabetes that were disorderly, but due to illness. It was clear to me in this case that he was intoxicated.

"I tried speaking with him in a calming voice but to no avail as he aggressively moved toward me with hands raised trying to hit me. He was intoxicated to the point that it was easy for me to side step him and take him into custody. He resisted arrest, was violent with me and I charged him appropriately.

"During his court appearance a few days later, the judge heard my evidence and sentenced him to 30 days in jail. Wow! I thought to myself, that is really harsh. But after the judge passed sentence the older man thanked the judge. I walked away and went about my business.

"The next year, about the same time, an almost identical situation happened with another officer. I recognized the name of the older gentleman who now was arrested for assaulting a police officer. To make a long story a bit shorter, he was, again, sentenced to 30 days.

"It was then I found out that these same events transpired each Christmas season. This same older gentleman, who lived in a rooming house, would get publically intoxicated and try to assault a police officer during the Christmas season and the judge, always recognizing him and his real motive, gave him the same 30 day jail sentence so he wouldn't have to spend Christmas alone and without a hot meal.

"Sadly, after about 15 years of this same scenario, the older fellow passed away (he was intoxicated and was hit by a car).

"I thought there were some interesting lessons to be learned about doing the job of a law enforcement officer from this man concerning motive, compassion, understanding and follow-up. Sometimes things are not as they first appear and we do well to not pre-judge and draw conclusions before knowing the entire story."

Brian: "I don't know who you are or the publication you are referring to. What I do know is on average I read approximately 25 articles a day using an iPad app called Zite; it's a great app for news and I have enjoyed it for approximately 2 years.... My point is simple, as are the maths: out of 25x(365x2), or 18,250 articles to date, this is one of the most touching articles I have ever read and the only one I have felt compelled to take the time to reply to. Have a happy Christmas, from Ireland. Brian."

Comments

[Eolake]

How many blog posts does one remember clearly after eight years? *This* one I did!
So damn touching.

If/when I get there, who would you recommend writing to? (Apple seems a bad bet.)

[Bob]

OK,...I'll admit that I loathe Christmas,...but I found this piece thought provoking, and not as unfamiliar as I would have liked.

[Edie Howe]

Ya know, I can't seem to shake this dang allergy, even in winter. *sniff*

Wishing everyone at TOP the happiest of seasonal holidays of their choices.

And a Holga-free New Year.

[Steve L.]

I just shed a few tears reading your post. Thanks Mike. I hope you have a very happy holiday.

[Dave Levingston]

Thank you, Mike, for a touching story for the season.

[Michael Perini]

Mike,
Nicely done, as usual.....
Merry Christmas
Michael

[Patrick Dodds]

That's up there with your best posts ever Mike - thank you and happy Christmas to you and yours.

[Mark]

Well done Mike,

As another long time reader, I knew as I read this that I had seen it before.

Thanks for reposting it.

Have a merry!

Mark

[Marcelo Guarini]

Nice, touching stories. The one of the stump made me laugh to.
Merry Christmas Mike.
Merry Christmas to all readers and posters here.

[Richard]

I missed this one the first time around. You're such a good writer, Mike. Just love your posts.

[expiring_frog]

Lovely post, Mike. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thanks for the blog.

[Dave]

If only you would've printed that stump photo with the caption "Nice capture", Photo Techniques would be remembered as the most visionary publication in the history of photography.

[Moose]

Nice story, lovely in the telling.

Now, could you get the Noyszewskis to straighten up their tree?

I wish you a level Christmas.

And to all, good light.

[Michael Perini]

Mike
I had another thought.
This one is o good, you should read it aloud at the T.O.P Employee Christmas Party.
You, by the fire doing a fireside Chat.
One of the employees could record it and release it ar the first TOP video Blog.
Proceeds to the charity of your choice.

Seriously, you do have this ability to keep us grounded and keep things in perspective without being preachy.
That's a rare gift. Very valuable in these polarizing times.
M

[Paul Amyes]

For quite a while I had a proper job working as a registered Mental Health Nurse in a busy acute admissions unit. Many long standing patients would "engineer" their situation so as to be admitted to hospital over the Christmas period. It was hard to see why. Many had lost contact with their families and so the staff in some cases were the closest they had as many of us had known for many many years. It was always fun to serve them Christmas lunch and everyone got a present. I'll never forget one year we had a young bloke brought in and as was the protocol 2 staff went to bring him onto the ward. I went with a colleague who had never met this chap before. So as we walked him back he abusing and threatening the other nurse and in between he was also talking to me asking about my wife, telling me about his dog and asking what I thought would be on the menu for Christmas lunch. It was a very surreal experience.

[Speed]

The season brings out the best in people. And there is a lot of best to be brought out.

Happy Holidays.

[Bruce McL]

For a while I considered myself a photographer. I sold a few prints, was exhibited at a gallery, and had a few students. Now I am not as active photographically, but I still enjoy it as a hobby.

I have to admit I spend more time on this site around the holidays than at other times of the year. I could say it's because that's when I'm looking for new gear, but a lot of it is because I enjoy the community that Mike has created here. It cheers me up during the holidays.

Merry Christmas everyone!

[Gabe]

You are a great story teller - Merry Christmas to you and yours and healthy & happy New Year. (Would it be too much to ask for a little prosperity?)

I also wish the same for everyone reading this, or commenting, or thinking about the dialogue. Everyone's comments have often kept me up late, thinking, reading, enjoying. So many topics, so many opinions, so much experience - I just couldn't put the Ipad down.

To all of the thoughtful, well expressed, considerate commentators, (whether we agree or not)- I feel like I know a large bunch of you. Season's greetings - thanks for writing, and keep the flow of commentary going. I believe we're all looking forward to it.

Cheers!
Gabe

[T Bannor]

Thank you for these. Merry Christmas.

[FK]

Humata, Hukhta, Huvarshta.

Merry Christmas, to all at TOP.

[Ian Hunter]

A brilliant story, well told! We have a family tradition of watching "It's a Wonderful Life" every Christmas. After many years I still get a lump in my throat at the end. The same with this. Merry Christmas Mike and a happy and productive New Year.

[robert quiet photographer]

this is a very good article, interesting moving stories. And yes, human contact can be sometimes the best gift to give.
Grazie e Buon Natale!
robert

[Jim Gamblin]

Thank you for this latest post. The last part got me and I felt my eyes begin to water. Have a merry one.

[Henk]

Dear mr Johnston / Mike,

The story of the "Man with complaints" would be a great start for a script for a Christmas movie. Thanks for another great year on T.O.P.!

Merry Cristmas and a Healthy New Year to you and all T.O.P. followers.

[Manuel]

It's a heart-warming story, but it saddens me to think there are people who get so lonely that the only way they find to reach other human beings is to write letters to a magazine.
I hope it's not the case of TOP commenters! To all of them, and to Mike, Ctein and all others at TOP headquarters, I wish a merry Christmas - or whatever you celebrate this time of year.

[Lenya R.]

A wonderful post, Mike. The featured comment by Dennis Mook is a very nice remake of one of my favorite O. Henry stories. I do not doubt it is true for a second but is an absolutely incredible coincidence.