...alone in the universe...

I've always been a big Dr. Seuss fan. I can't help but admire his ability to rearrange issues, simplifying them to their core, making them understandable to the masses.

When I posted on Facebook that I was going to the MUNY this Friday to see Seussical, Jana Vorvick, a dear friend and co-worker, generously gave me two free tickets to the Wednesday show.

The MUNY is an outdoor musical amphitheater that seats 11,000 people. When we can, Andy and I go early, take a picnic dinner and wait in line for two of the 1,500 first come, first served free seats in the back of the theater. Imagine our shock as we took our seats in section A4 (front and center) and stared at the stage. We were in awe.

The show itself was fantastic. The MUNY is always known for adding little inside St. Louis jokes to each show, and it's always fun to see and hear the artistic director's creativity. There are two songs in particular that I love from this show, and I always encourage my young voice students to sing them, as they are so hopeful and beautifully composed. And as the show began, and the audience tossed around giant beach balls while laughing at being squirted with water guns, my heart began to churn.

So, so close!

I thought of my own childhood and how my big sister compared Green Eggs and Ham with God, encouraging me to try, and, and more importantly, to trust. I thought of children in this generation that are stepping out of their comfort zones and choosing to care a whole awful lot in the hopes that things might get better. I thought of the children that I hope to have one day, and my desperate dream that they will recognize their own significance and self worth, as there will never be anyone you'er than you (or them.)

And from the moment that Horton heard the Whos on the little speck of dust and vowed to protect them, because a person is a person no matter how small, I wept. I wept for all that was, and all that is, and all that will be. Not the sad kind of weeping, the hope-filled kind.

When was the last time you read a Dr. Seuss book? Which book is your most favorite?