Editorial - Mickie Daly's Diary
28.11.2008
Mickie
Daly was probably the most popular feature in
The Far East magazine. People ask me after Sunday Mass, “What
happened to Mickie Daly?” when they learn that I am Editor of the magazine.
I don’t mean a few parishioners, 99% mention Mickie Daly rather than anything or anyone else in the magazine. He was a big hit not only with children but with adults too. ‘What is Mickie Daly up to this week?’ His antics were followed with eagerness by young and old alike.
At first I was surprised but then I became amazed by the response of these present and former readers of The Far East. Mickie Daly went fishing in 1984 never to return to the pages of The Far East, yet a generation later he is still remembered with affection. I don’t remember reading Mickie Daly’s diary as a child but in response to the interest shown in him I have been reading his diary from 1932 to 1984.
What I like about Mickie Daly is that he is a true child. He may be a child but he worries, he has his ups and downs, he suffers. He never liked ‘Tomiss’ Dacey but tries to be fair to him. He is a grumbler and can see the down side of things very easily. He likes to play and have a good laugh as well as be a good friend.
He touched something in the hearts of our readers. Being a child is not easy, they need lots of encouragement. I am still not convinced childhood is the best time in our lives.
Fr Gary Walker
TFE@columban.org.au
