A man in Philadelphia had gotten in touch with Merl, since Merl's Sunday puzzle runs in the Philadelphia Inquirer. The man's wife CLARA (1-Across) is a big fan of crosswords and she has been battling a tough cancer. The man hoped that a newspaper might run a puzzle with a theme devoted to Clara. That, Merl explained, was not possible—but he came up with the idea of seeding a themed puzzle with all sorts of stealth answers that would mean something to Clara but nothing to the rest of us.
The Philadelphia Inquirer also runs the L.A. Times daily crossword, so Merl and editor Rich Norris put the plan into motion.
Clara's dog CHOCO is there, as well as her husband's name, her favorite baseball player, her maiden name—about 15 answers in all. So the fill had to work with Merl's five theme answers and the other 15 entries planted around the grid, thus compromising the remaining fill.
Clara did the crossword in the hospital today, thinking all those answers with personal meaning were mere coincidences until she came upon CHOCO and said, "Wait a minute. What's going on here?" The family burst into laughter, and the joyous experience was the best Christmas present they'd ever had.
I'm a firm believer in crosswords having the best quality fill and offering the solver an entertaining time. This one time, the bulk of the entertainment was directed at a minuscule part of the solving audience, not at the rest of us. But hey, the other 364 puzzles this year are for all of us. This one puzzle gave Clara's husband a chance to do something really memorable and joyous for her, and I'm glad it worked out.
Thanks to Merl Reagle for sharing the story, and thanks to Rich and Merl for doing a good deed. The rest of us? We still had a decent crossword to solve, and we got to be witnesses to a touching tale.
Orange, Thank You for sharing the story. What a marvelous gesture for Merl and Rich to do. A very heart-warming story.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Orange, for relaying this story, and kudos to Merl and Rich for making this special moment happen!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the truly touching story, I am typing this looking through very misty eyes.
ReplyDeleteVery impressive, A wonderful gift for a friend. Give Clara our prayers.
ReplyDelete@Having a family member going through a horrific disease myself, I am beyond touched! Thanks so much for sharing this story. Merl, Rich, Orange-what a special gift this was. Clara, angels all around you!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Orange for sharing this with us. As a cancer survivor, I can only say hooray for such a wonderful husband and crossword constructor!! I send out my prayers to Clara and her family and thank Merl Reagle and Rich Norris being so kind and generous.
ReplyDeleteoops left out FOR
ReplyDeleteMerl that is the best Christmas wish to come true that I have heard this year.
ReplyDeleteThank You very much Merl & Rich giving Clara and her family a wonderful gift and sharing this story.
Also a big Thank You to you Orange for not letting this come out early.
What is there to say, very special.
ReplyDeleteAgree with all of you, very moved to read about this wonderful effort by Merle and Rich, and thank you, Orange, for not just explaining, but making the run-up so exciting!
ReplyDeleteAll's forgiven, including CCC.
ReplyDeleteThe story behind the puzzle has me choked up. I'm believing in miracles and human goodness this evening.
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiring movie could be made from this series of events, honestly. Hats off to all who made this happen, and who kept a 'lid' on it.
I won't soon forget the puzzle or the touching tale that brought it to our kitchen tables, comfy chairs and computer screens. Thanks for filling us in.
split inf. & co.
Thanks for sharing this touching story. It says a lot about Merle and Rich, and,of course,Clara's husband..such a unique personal gift.We're all rooting for you Clara.
ReplyDeleteAs if. I needed. Another Reason. To idolize. Merl Reagle.
ReplyDeleteAll that, AND I liked the puzzle!
ReplyDeleteBravo Merl, and best wishes Clara!
That is really sweet - thanks for sharing the story!
ReplyDeleteAmy B.
HOLY Cow. Seriously, Holy Bleeping Cow. Merl is more of a legend than ever. I'm speechless.
ReplyDeleteMerl, you rock!
ReplyDeletewow.
ReplyDeleteA wish for blessings for all who made this holiday gift possible!
ReplyDeleteWow, that story just made my day.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the Holiday spirit from the City of Brotherly love. Merl and the paper deserve a broader coverage.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to Clara.
I'm a day late, but this story gave me goose bumps and teary eyes. God bless!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this with all of us, such an uplifting and heart warming story. I struggle with most of the puzzles and reading something like this makes me glad I do. Merry Christmas or happy holidays to all.
ReplyDeletegeez, guys, your comments leave me speechless, and for me, that's saying something! later today i'll probably write a couple of paragraphs about how it came about, but in the meantime i can't imagine christmas presents getting any better than the reactions on this list--unless it was the reaction of clara herself. as i mentioned to amy, i'm just hoping that some of those euphoria endorphins were strong enough to kill a couple thousand cancer cells. in any event, i hope you all have a great holiday! --m.r.
ReplyDeleteGoes to prove that crossworders do have a heart. Merle, I salute you for bringing joy to a lovely person and her thoughtful family.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a heartwarming story and it just fits the spirit of giving that we feel in this season.
Bless you, Merl, and also Amy for sharing this very touching story.
That was a wonderful story and shows the tender human side in all of us we don't always connect with. Thanks Amy and Merl.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that's pretty much the most awesomest thing ever. Thanks to Merl and Rich, and best wishes to Clara and family.
ReplyDeleteI have a giant lump in my throat. My prayers are with you Clara. Very touching story. Thank you for sharing that Amy, and thank you Merl and Rich for such a wonderful gift.
ReplyDeleteDitto what everyone else said. Misty eyes. Lump in throat. What an amazing thing to do! Lots of love to Clara.
ReplyDeleteI am literally speechless - the spirit of Christmas x 100. Thanks to Rich and Merl (and Amy) for letting us share this wonderful moment. God bless you all, and all of my prayers to Clara and her family.
ReplyDeleteThat's just amazing. Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteTruly wishing all the best to Clara and her family. Thank you, Merl.
A wonderful gesture by Merl and Rich. Thanks for sharing the story behind the crossword.
ReplyDeleteand *that's* what it's all about.
ReplyDeletelovely, moving gesture and story for so very many reasons.
thank you merl, rich and amy for the insight--
;-)
absolutely wonderful gesture to warm the hearts of all!
ReplyDeleteI recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
ReplyDeleteLucy
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