My mum, Helen, was hilarious. She had a tremendous sense of

Billy Crystal, with tenderness in his voice, once said: “My mum, Helen, was hilarious. She had a tremendous sense of humour and was a great singer and tap dancer. For many years, she was the voice of Minnie Mouse in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. She would be in the float as it came along, singing whatever the Minnie Mouse song of the day was. She was a really big spirit in my life.” These words, both joyful and reverent, are more than a memory of a mother; they are a hymn to the inheritance of love, laughter, and creativity that a parent bestows upon a child.

The origin of this saying rests in Crystal’s reflection on his mother’s influence. Known to the world as a legendary comedian and actor, he reveals that the foundation of his wit, his performance, and his zest for life was laid by his mother, a woman who carried both humor and artistry in abundance. Her role in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, lending voice to Minnie Mouse, was not merely a job; it was a symbol of joy carried into millions of homes on a day of national gratitude. To her son, it was also a memory of magic, a living testament that spirit and laughter could brighten even the coldest November day.

Throughout history, the influence of parents has been the hidden seed from which greatness blossoms. The philosopher Plato was shaped by the discipline and wit of his family; the poet Dante drew from the songs of his homeland taught by those closest to him. In the same way, Crystal, whose humor would one day echo across stages and screens, first learned the power of laughter from Helen, whose spirit was not small or confined, but expansive, filling her child’s world with music, dance, and mirth.

The imagery of Minnie Mouse in the Macy’s Parade is itself profound. The parade, seen by millions, is a tradition that bridges generations, linking families through spectacle and joy. Helen’s voice, though hidden behind the mask of a beloved character, reached the hearts of countless children. Her role reminds us that greatness often shines from behind the curtain, unseen by the world but deeply felt. In the same way, many parents labor quietly, their names unsung, yet their voices shaping destinies. Helen was such a voice—both literally and figuratively—singing joy into her son’s life.

Consider, too, the importance of humor in survival and growth. In times of hardship, laughter has been humanity’s shield. During the Great Depression, when hunger gnawed at the land, it was the comedians and singers who gave people a reason to hope. In World War II, soldiers clung to the jokes and songs of home as fiercely as to their rifles. Crystal’s mother carried that same torch, teaching her son that humor is not frivolity but strength, that joy is a power that can heal and unite. Her big spirit lives on in him, and through him, in the millions he has made laugh.

The lesson here is eternal: never underestimate the inheritance of joy. To raise a child is not merely to feed and clothe them, but to fill their world with laughter, song, and spirit. The legacy of a parent is not only in what they do, but in how they live, and how that life is woven into the fabric of their children. Helen’s songs in a parade float may have seemed small to the world, but to her son, they were immortal treasures, shaping the man he would become.

So, O listener, take this wisdom as your own. Be generous with your humor, lavish with your joy, fearless in your creativity. If you are a parent, let your children hear your laughter and see your spirit shining, for these will outlast all material gifts. If you are a child, honor the memory of those who gave you their light, carrying it forward in your own life. For in the end, the true inheritance is not wealth or fame, but the spirit—the songs, the laughter, the courage—that live on in those we love. This is the teaching of Billy Crystal’s words: that a mother’s joy can become her child’s destiny, and that a life lived with laughter is a life that never fades.