Sunny Days~Sweeping The Clouds Away

On my way to where the air is sweet...A week ago I saw a commercial for 50 years of Sunny Days. A special on ABC celebrating Sesame Street.   I couldn't believe how excited I got, so excited that I put it on my reminders, followed by recording it just in case I wasn't home.  I am pretty sure that not many my age would get so excited about something as such.  If you ask my family what they remember most about things I loved as a little girl it would be Sesame Street.  I would watch it with my own kids when they were little, and now with my granddaughters.  I sing along, laugh, and know every name of every muppet.  

When I was little I had no idea the messages that they were trying to get across and the lessons that were being taught.  All I knew was that Bert and Ernie were funny, that they were roommates, best friends.  Ernie drove Bert crazy with his antics and his laughing, singing and his need for Bert's help all of the time.  But it didn't matter to Bert because they were best friends and that what friends do. 

 

I didn't realize that Snuffleupagus came from a family of divorce.  His dad told he and his sister Alice that he wasn't going to live with them but explained how he would still be in their lives. 

 Sesame had to unfortunately touch the subject of death when Mr Hooper passed away in 1983.  Instead of recasting, or writing him off the show by telling Big Bird, that Mr.Looper, (Hooper...Hooper) retired or moved,  Maria, Luis, Gordon, and Bob tenderly and emotionally explained to Big Bird that he had died..  This brought tears and raw feelings to the set of Seeame that day. 

 These are all subjects that were a part of everyday living.  Not only were we learning our ABC's, numbers.(1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11.12 ladybugs came to the ladybug picnic) and colors, but ultimately we were learning about life, emotions, and feelings we hadn't otherwise figured out yet. 

In 2005 Sesame Street brought in Griotte, who was a little girl in a wheelchair and in 2017 Julia joined.  Julia has autism.  These little girls showed our kids that having a disability is something that is nothing to fear, and everyone can be friends regardless of any differences.

Most recently, Covid, social distancing, home schooling, and masks have been introduced.  Sesame has creatively engaged the muppets in zoom song sessions, and mask rules. Realizing that pre~schooler"s have been extremely affected by the past year has given them the opportunity to help.  Let these kids know that they are not the only ones not being able to see their friends, teachers and family, the muppet friends also cannot.  

One last very sensitive subject that has been on the front page is racism. Sesame Street and CNN partnered for a town hall meeting lead by who else...Big Bird.  Discussed during this town hall meeting racism, protesting, empathy, and diversity.  After this meeting Wes and Elijah were introduced.  An African American father and son, whose mom and grandma will soon be introduced.  

The amount of awareness that has been brought before us, without even realizing it is brilliant.  Brilliant beyond what I ever imagined Sesame street to be.  All I knew when I was 4 was that I was learning , laughing and singing.  Empathy, emotion, and understanding was something that was taught without us even knowing.  All we were thinking about were the Sunny Days ahead.  

Come and Play, everything's A-OK

Friendly Neighbors there

That's where you meet

Can you tell me how to get 

how to get to Sesame Street

From James Taylor to Little Richard...Jelly Man Kelly to Ittsy Bitssy Spider...(And all of the other musicians that sang to us)   Sesame Street will forever be a part of us 

A House Is A Building...A Home Is A Feeling

Well, it’s happening...The utmost favorite house of my last 30 years is going into the hands of our realtor.  We asked her to walk through and let us know what we needed to do to sell it quickly. I can’t let this drag out, if I do I have a feeling I won’t do it. She walked through and and made some suggestions. It didn’t bother me that the carpets need to be replaced, the floors need to be pulled up, the fixtures need updating, scratches in the doors need to be stained, the basement needs painting, the window coverings need to be removed, or even that the swing set could stay or go...and I had to ask myself the question “Why am I ok?”  I thought that changing everything about my favorite house would tear me apart.  Here’s the thing, the reason that this all needs to be done is because we lived hard...with all our heart and soul in that house.  The day we moved in my kids were 1, 8, and 11. They are now 20, 28, and 30.  In the past 20 years we went from a family of 5 at our dinner table to a family of 9.

I am a little relieved that we need to make these changes to the house because maybe it won’t feel like mine anymore.  I won’t walk by every scratch, carpet stain, homemade shade, out of date curtain, gold faucet, array of floor coverings, and think that someone is going to erase all of those memories that we made.  I know how every scratch, stain, and tear was made  and why the floor was so worn out.  They happened from dogs and kids running, playing, spilling, throwing...living. The amount of memories that I see every time I turn a corner is insurmountable.  I look out my front door and I see my kids getting on the bus every morning as Cody sits on the front step, I look at the screen door and I see Gracie pushing it open with her nose, I look out my backyard and I see the kids swinging, Eric and Jake playing baseball, Dani and her friends hanging out around the firepit, and best of all I see a hockey rink full of skaters.  I look at the fireplace and I see many nights of Eric and I listening to music contemplating life's ups and downs.  

The bar in the basement...Completely unexpected feelings set in.  This was meticulously planned and built by Eric during a very rough time. The year following 9/11. I see 20 years full of ticket stubs, college visits, license plates, vacation memorabilia, Air Force remembrances, hats, flags, towels...every few years we would decide to start a different collection!  I am pretty sure that all 3 of my kids sat behind that bar, probably had their first or second drinks as well!  I know that a lot happened down there from Bar and Bat Mitzvah weekends, wedding weekends, birthday parties, parent hockey parties...and so many movie nights and sleepovers.  Each of us will have our own memories to take with us.  Some things will physically join us while many will emotionally be with us. Regardless, we will embrace this change together.  And together we will realize that "A House is a building and a home is a feeling"

 You can leave the house behind but bring your home to wherever you are.