Moe Howard’s birthday is June 19th. His daughter Joan shares personal memories of her Father.
Moe his daughter Joan Howard Maurer and son Paul Howard on the set
Joan Howard Mauer Shares Memories of Her Father on His Birthday
Can you imagine Moe without the mayhem – Moe putting pen to paper rather than fingers into Curly’s eyes, writing down loving thoughts instead of growling, “I’LL MOIDA YA”? Yet that was exactly what he did to stay a part of our family while spending lonely nights in strange hotels “on the road,” thousands of miles away from everything that was most meaningful to him.
Moe and his wife Helen
Moe, in his autobiography – although painting a very compelling picture of his life as a comedian onstage, in films, and on television – failed to include important details of his softer side: the romantic, who, while in London, hired a singer to serenade his wife five thousand miles away on their anniversary; the selfless man who played Santa to cerebral-palsied children.
In addition to his love, Moe had the drive to share his good luck with others. His poem “My Wish,” written to my mother in the 1920s, is a perfect example of the lesser known side of my father.
My Wish
The talents which the Lord gave me,
Not great or many are
But what he gave I know I’ll save,
By spreading them afar.
And should great riches come to me,
At some bright future hour,
T’would be my call with man to share,
My fortune and my power.
I could not be a happy man,
Nor have a peaceful soul,
Should I retain each thing I gain,
Within my small control.
If fame a distant happy goal,
Should ever be my fate,
The golden crown would bear me down,
Should I not share its weight.
My wish is ever to divide,
The good things that I gain,
Could I not give, I would not live,
I could not stand the pain.
If I should have a king’s great power,
I’d have to share my throne,
I’d give you most, no idle boast,
Of everything I own.
Good health has blessed me all my life,
So conscious of that gift,
I’ll use that strength throughout life’s length,
My sweetheart’s cares to lift.
Mosey
A memory from Moe’s daughter, Joan Howard Maurer