Charles Schulz passed away today nine years ago in February, 2000.

I’ve been wondering about how to tribute a man that has done so much for the world of cartoons, comic strips, art, and my own life.

Should I start out with the fact that he was born in Minnesota at the beginning of the roaring twenties? Because both the Midwest and jazz piano have been staples of Schulz’s work. And tributes usually begin with preliminary facts like these.

Or maybe an anecdote about how he got the name “Sparky”? Or how one of his most prized possessions was the “Combat Infantry Badge” he earned for his duty in World War II? Or that he was inducted into the United States Figure Skating Hall of Fame, because those events are more about the man that he was, but don’t show you the whole picture of who Charles Schulz was.

Whenever they tribute someone in an article they usually mention numbers and usually they’re pretty big numbers, and Charles Schulz is certainly no stranger to big numbers. “Peanuts” has appeared in more than 2,600 newspapers and 75 different countries at the time of his passing. When he attended school he skipped 2 and half grades, which is more than most of us ever did. But those numbers don’t really memorialize the man as I remember him.

And I’ve also seen writers talk about what has been left behind, or created, since the person’s passing. And I could rattle on about the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center, along with countless “Peanuts” strips that will continue to grace newspapers worldwide.

While all of these things are true and make up pieces of Charles Schulz. I don’t think anything captures him more than the picture of snoopy lying atop his dog house and staring at the sky dreaming.

Charles plowed through life with the power of his imagination. He gave inspiration to countless artists, writers, and leaders throughout the world. And with his pencils and pens, Schulz was able to do what only a few have done, because with his tools Schulz was able to beat death.

Even though nine years has passed since Charles Schulz left this earth, not a day goes by where you can’t see his characters and name appear in the daily newspaper somewhere in the world. Not a Halloween passes where the big pumpkin doesn’t make a television appearance, or Charlie Brown during Christmas.

As long as there resides the child within us, there will reside the picture of snoopy atop his dog house. And our hopes that Charlie Brown will finally kick the football, and many other snapshots of our own childhood.

Schulz gave the world more than cartoons or a comic strip. He let the world know that you don’t have to kick the football to be a hero. You don’t have to let go of your security blanket to have friends. And you never have to stop dreaming to become successful.

Charles Schulz, we miss you; and we thank you for all that left behind for us to enjoy.

Feel free to comment and leave your fond memories of Charles Schulz.