Sesame Street

Sesame Street is 40 years old this month. Wow, I had no idea that Sesame Street was older than me. I turned 39 yesterday; Sesame Street turns 40 on the 10th.

I haven't seen Sesame Street in years. In fact, I'm not even sure what channel or what time to look for it. But I have memories of Sesame Street. I'd imagine we all do.

For many of us, that was our first introduction to Spanish. We learned about hard G (Grover) and soft G (George). We got to figure out which one of these things doesn't belong here. Every episode was sponsored by two letters and a number. And even though we usually didn't know (or care) who they were, there was never a lack of celebrity guests.

But things have changed in the past 40 years, even at 123 Sesame Street. For instance, when I was a kid, there was no Elmo. Grover was the cute, cuddly monster. And he wasn't loud and annoying either. No offense, Elmo. I'm just sayin'. And Cookie Monster used to eat cookies...A LOT. But with the ever-growing childhood obesity problem in our country, even Cookie Monster has had to adjust. I wonder if Oscar is still a grouch or if he was enrolled in some anger management course.

Congratulations, Sesame Street, on your 40 years of success in teaching us and our children...about letters and numbers and manners and how to be a good friend. I hope you have another 40 years of unbridled success.

PS. To my faithful followers, I apologize for my long absence. I promise to try to do better in the future. lmd