I first discovered Mr. Skelly videos and Illustrations on Facebook, and I was intrigued. There he was—a dancing skeleton, joyfully moving through meadows, holding hands with Mrs. Skelly and reminding me to enjoy life. It struck me as somewhat odd that a skeleton would prod me to celebrate being alive. But really, who better to offer that reminder than someone whose life has passed?
I was mesmerized by the beauty of the animations. There is a warm glow to the artistry and a graceful movement that reminds me of vintage Disney characters, the way they seemed to sway so beautifully when they danced. Watching Mr. and Mrs. Skelly move through their world feels almost like stepping into a dream.
Through the Facebook page, I was introduced to Christian Watson, the writer and animator behind Mr. Skelly. His missing-tooth grin immediately puts you at ease. Christian hand-draws each frame and models his characters after his own family, giving the work a wonderfully personal quality.
This fall, I purchased Watson’s book, How Lucky Am I, as a gift to myself. It gives me the opportunity to slowly read each story and drink in all the beautiful illustrations. I love the feel of the paper in my hands, too. In a world of endless scrolling, there is something wonderfully satisfying about holding a book and taking your time with it.
I find myself returning to these pages in little moments, noticing details I missed before, and allowing the stories to settle quietly in my heart before moving on.
Fall itself seems like the perfect season to discover Mr. Skelly. The shedding of leaves in preparation for winter, Halloween and Día de los Muertos all remind us of something most of us would rather not face: one day, our time on Earth will end.
Yet Mr. Skelly approaches that truth without fear or gloom. Instead, he dances. He loves. He notices the beauty around him. And he reminds us to keep our zest for life. As he says, “Once you realize you won't be around forever, life becomes magical.”
That thought stayed with me long after I closed the book. Perhaps that is the gift of Mr. Skelly: a reminder that our days are limited, which makes them infinitely more precious. How lucky am I, indeed, to be here for this one beautiful life?
In addition to Mr. Skelly, you’ll find a wonderful collection of art, jewelry and photography on Watson’s site, 1924.us.