Dr. Seuss and ‘Love That Dog’

Abundance Purpose Well-being

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Key Point: “How did it get late so soon, it’s night before it’s afternoon. December is here before it’s June. My goodness how the time has flown. How did it get so late so soon?”

This oft quoted Dr. Seuss message is always a “bell ringer” for me. And as birthday season comes around for me and many of our family, it staggers me how… As Seuss says, “it got so late so soon.”

My wonderful wife of 42 years and masterful teacher of young children, recently read me a most beautiful book; one that she has sent as a birthday gift to our grandson who just turned seven years old. It’s called, Love That Dog, by Sharon Creech. In the book, young Jack, a child in early grade school, is inspired by Mr. Walter Dean Myers, the great American writer of children’s literature. Jack learns over a few months, guided along the way by the very capable fictitious grade school teacher Miss Stretchberry, to embrace poetry. He soon discovers his written words are a heartfelt way to express his innermost feelings. In the end, the story finds Jack sharing his naive, yet soul-searing poem about the unconditional love of his dog Sky, run over and suddenly killed while chasing a ball. Jack’s poem paints a vivid image of the moment just before Sky is hit… “Blue car, blue car splattered with mud speeding down the road.” In an unexpected instant the dog, so much a daily companion and joy, is gone. Jack learns through this painful experience and self reflection to better understand love, loss and how time can be not only be fleeting, but brittle.

Love That Dog is more than a children’s book. It is a touching reminder that life is given to live in its most complete way everyday. Do we get so caught up in the craziness of a stressful daily routine, that we begin to resemble the muddy blue car speeding down the road? There are so many things that tell us we should be making more money, climbing the ladder, buying more stuff and demonstrating how “successful” we are. We might forget to invest in our whole selves. Are we sufficiently looking after our physical, emotional, and spiritual growth? Are we reaching out and giving to others? Are we building our own definition of success; one that allows us to slow the world down just a bit? And while creating experiences and developing a story of contribution at work is important, I believe it is most rewarding and meaningful when it reflects one’s spirit and self, rather than fulfilling just a “job” or “career.” Our resume will not be our eulogy.

zoeyjasper03

Character Moves:

  1. Give yourself a moment and read Myers poem below:

“Love That Boy

By Walter Dean Myers

Love that boy,

like a rabbit loves to run.

I said I love that boy,

like a rabbit loves to run.

Love to call him in the morning,

love to call him,

‘Hey there, son!’

 

He walks like his Grandpa,

Grins like his Uncle Ben.

I said he walk like his Grandpa,

And grins like his Uncle Ben.

Grins when he’s happy,

When he sad, he grins again.

 

His mama like to hold him,

Like to feed him cherry pie.

I said his mama like to hold him.

Like to feed him that cherry pie.

She can have him now,

I’ll get him by and by.

 

He got long roads to walk down,

Before the setting sun.

I said he got a long, long road to walk down,

Before the setting sun.

He’ll be a long stride walker,

And a good man, before he done.”

 

Love that boy in The Triangle,

Lorne

P.S. this blog and poem is dedicated to our son and grandson.