Sesame Street

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 315: Today, I am grateful I grew up on Sesame Street. 

Happy Birthday, Sesame Street!

On November 10, 1969, a new children's show made its debut. "Sesame Street" was created by writer and producer Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett, Jr. They wanted to create learning programming for young children. They put together a team that became the Children's Television Workshop. 

Interestingly enough, their goal was to create a children's television show that would "master the addictive qualities of television and do something good with them." They battled "new technologies", too. Music played a huge part in the curriculum developed by educators, great communicators, psychologists, and creative people in the arts. Most of us can still sing the theme song, "Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street?"    

Hiring Jim Henson was brilliant!  His Muppets are still some of the most beloved characters from childhood. Season 56 is currently running. Big Bird, Elmo, Oscar the Grouch, Grover, Zoey, Cookie Monster, Bert, and Ernie helped us learn about letters, numbers, seasons, friendship, cultural diversity, and having fun. The simple storylines touched some tender topics at times including grief at the loss of a grandparent, pet, or friend. Courage, forgiveness, compromise, and friendship were common themes. 

Our children knew the characters, too. Walker once told a healthcare provider checking for concussion that his name was "Walker Melmo Ryan Matthew Smith."  Melmo was how he said, "Elmo." Not all of those names were given at birth. He added a few. His thinking was clear and there was no concussion. He was just a boy who loved Elmo and his buddy, Ryan enough to take their names.

The characters on Sesame Street learned to respond to each other in love. 

"For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love." - Galatians 5:13

I am not 100% sure what it looks like in 2024, but I am grateful to have grown up on Sesame Street. I know that we are still better together. That "better" is enhanced by our unique gifts, talents, and strengths. When we learn to help each other in  struggles and trials, we all grow stronger. 

Today, I am grateful I grew up on Sesame Street.