At first glance, a synopsis of the film sounds a wee bit like a Hallmark classic of the day - George feels like ending it all, but through a little heavenly help from his guardian angel, Clarence, and the prayers of his family, he doesn’t give up, and they all live happily ever after.
If one looks closely enough, the movie plot - also the theme for La-Grange’s Christmas parade - could be about Charlie Solomon, owner of Solomon’s Department Store.
And that is what the leaders of the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce thought when they named Solomon, 89, and his wife of more than 68 years, Frances, 88, as grand marshals of this year’s parade.
Charlie Solomon’s life began similar to that of the fictional Bailey. Solomon said he started working in his father’s store when he was 12 years old, wearing overalls “and keeping the money in my pockets.” He did admit to having a dream of one time of being a lawyer, but family duties took first priority. Solomon’s Department Store has been a mainstay in the community, offering shoes and clothing for families since 1932.
Uncle Sam got first dibs on Solomon, though, during World War II when he served with honor in the Air Force and was an integral part of a number of missions - including the dropping of the atomic bomb in Japan. Solomon’s eyes get misty, and his voice chokes as he recalls his service in the military and what his family was going through at home to “make ends meet” with the store while he was away.
Once Solomon returned home, the store was up and running, “and in good shape.” Though times were tough, the Solomons remained true to their promise of serving the whole community.
And then the similarity between the movie and Solomon’s life becomes even more evident.
“We were living with my parents, and we didn’t have a lot of room. We had a lot of things up in the store’s attic, like my medals from the war, and we had the inventory and everything,” he recalled. ” One night, I will never forget, a guy I know came and knocked on my window to tell me the store was on fire.”
Frances Solomon watched silently as her husband paused - his eyes were watering. She looked prepared to tell the story in case her husband couldn’t, but he continued it.
“We tried our best to fight that fire with hoses up front, but we lost most everything … especially my medals. My dad hadn’t renewed the insurance on the building or the inventory,” he recalled.
“But, you know, I wasn’t going to give up. We got on the phone and made some calls and within a few weeks’ time, the store was stocked again.”
Looking at his wife and daughter, Patty Solomon, who sat nearby, he said: “We never gave up … we fought hard.”
And he didn’t fight hard just for the store, but for the community as well. Charlie Solomon was instrumental in bringing Little League baseball to Troup County. He and his wife have been active in the church and community, including opening their home to out-of-towners, like players from a baseball team.
“We took them to church with us and fed them dinner,” he recalled.
When Chamber of Commerce leaders informed the Solomons of the grand marshal nomination in August, Charlie Solomon was speechless.
“That was a first,” Frances Solomon said with a laugh. “He always has something to say.
“We were so honored. … We have been blessed by so much over the years.”
Her husband added, “I didn’t know what to say. They really pulled a fast one on me. I really didn’t know what to say.”
Daughter Patty knew.
“Our parents have always been very supportive of his, and given us more then just a foundation of love to build on, but their perseverance has always been inspirational,” she said.
Becky Holland can be reached at bholland@lagrangenews.com and (706) 884-7311, Ext. 229.
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