;)
February 2nd, 2017
Dear Punxsutawney Phil:
I send you this urgent letter as my personal plea for your last minute assistance in hopes that you can make a difference. When you emerge from your cozy little den on Thursday, please stay and have some breakfast. No need to rush back into that hole. You seem to have an overly one-sided record of seeing your shadow and running away. Let’s change those statistics, starting this year.
My mother lived in Punxsutawney for a while as a child and has come back to share in the town’s celebrations that run all week long. She says you are quite a fine fella when you hang around long enough for people to get to know you. I, myself, would love to see you stay and mingle with your fan base rather than retreat to your little hotel in the ground.
You see Mr. Phil, it’s been a long winter. People here in the northeast could use a little taste of warm weather. The bitter winds and icy roads came too soon this winter. They have left us feeling tired and low on the energy we require to push through our busy schedules, not to mention the grumbling attitude that many of us develop when we open our heating bills.
We want to see flowers bloom and our surroundings look alive again. We want to feel alive again. Can we get a little taste of that hope?
With spring comes the transformation out of the depressing darkness and bitter chills of the days and nights. You know when you’ve had enough of Old Man Winter. Spring brings a fresh new outlook. Well, I have had enough of winter and I am rooting for you Mr. Phil.
So, come out, come out wherever you are. We eagerly await your arrival and for news to spread. This year you can be a shining star. Stick around. Don’t see your shadow. Heck, don’t even look for it. Defy the odds this year and bring us an early spring, Mr. Punxsutawney Phil.
Sincerely,
Erin M. Dodd
