Good Grief!

There is a little bit of controversy over the new biography on Charles Schulz because it dwells on the depression and dissatisfaction he often felt in life. This theme was also evident in the excellent PBS special that aired last week. Some members of his family are upset that about this and say it is being blown out of context and that Schulz was a wonderful and happy and giving man.

I don't doubt for a second that he wasn't all of those things. But anyone who really got "Peanuts" knows that clearly Schulz was full of self-doubt, fear, insecurity and depression. A lot of people who read "Peanuts" make the mistake of thinking Schulz wanted to laugh at Charlie Brown. We're not. Charlie Brown is us, or many of us anyway. It's like "Seinfeld." Everyone likes to think they're Jerry. Reality is most of us are George.

That Schulz was not an outgoing, happy person comfortable in his own skin does not mean there was something wrong with him, which seems to be the fear of some of his children. Truth is, that is what made him do the work he did and create the characters that have left an indelible mark on our culture. Who knows, perhaps if he had been happier or gotten the little red haired girl, we might not have had "Peanuts."

As one who suffers from many of those same ailments and knows a little about the darkness, I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Schulz's darkness took him to a place where he created wonderful art. Now he may have traded all that just to feel right, I don't know. I do know though that neither the voices in his head or the challenges he faced on his journey make him any less special, which seems to be what some members of his family fear.

No one likes their laundry aired in public, but this is not dirty laundry and shouldn't be treated that way. Charles Schulz created something that will last forever and, as one of his best creations said in one of my favorite strips, realized that this was the only world he could live in and he learned to live in it.

Five cents please!