Lenten Reflections #5
Today is the official holiday to celebrate the birthday of the beloved, Theodor Seuss Geisel – best known as Dr. Seuss. In 1998, in an effort to celebrate, the National Education Association advocated for a day to celebrate reading all over the United States. In 1998, it started Read Across America and decided to hold it on the same day as Dr. Seuss’ birthday.
As I read about wockets in pockets, Sam-I-Am’s finicky taste in breakfast foods and the Cat in the Hat’s rainy day, I marveled at how engaged the first graders were.
“It just doesn’t make sense…they’re not real words!” said one strong-voiced girl.
“His books don’t have to make sense!” said a giggly guy, “that’s why they are so funny!”
I thought about this exchange while I went on a short run this afternoon.
I pondered how life can easily parallel any Dr. Seuss book. From the flat out refusal to try new things like stubborn Sam-I-Am and those green eggs — to exaggerating the minutia and “turning minnows into whales” like on Mulberry Street. Too often we forget to take chances and just pile all those Apples Up on Top and if they must, just watch them drop.
Dr. Seuss had a deep respect for his readers, saying,
“I don’t write for children, I write for people. Once a writer starts talking down to kids, he’s lost. Kids can pick up on that kind of thing.”
So if you rest your head in Whoville or Wisconsin, let your heart grow three sizes and love your neighbor.
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