Much that I needed to know for life, I learned from some very special children's books.

As I said before, Theodor Seuss Geisel was born March 2, 1904.

I was reflecting on the places within us where Dr. Seuss took us and I decided to look at some of his words and how they had affected my life.

I left home at 18 to go to college. I moved 6 hours from home. It might has well been across the world. It was a cross cultural move for me – from the Richmond with its unique cultural mix to Appalachia.

Then I moved to California.

I have yet to explore all of this state. I have been to many more. There is so much yet to explore.

But there is also the inner territories yet to find. Dr. Seuss said:

He brought perspective to the common insecurities of children and adults about who they were. He addressed our anxieties about being authentic.

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”

We have beginnings and endings, but the endings are beginnings and the beginnings are endings and on and on it goes. I do  a lot of funerals. I collect stories – stories of well over 1000 people I knew but never met. Funerals are happy-sad times because  the memories are sweet and the endings are bitter. It occurs to me that I frequently employ a principle he taught as I lead people in the celebration of the life of a loved one.

Dr. Seuss said:

I sometimes have tough questions with which to wrestle. I meet people every day who are embroiled in existential crises, in deep pain, and in profound despair. Questions without answers plague them. I share with them, pray with them, and mostly, listen to them, I dare not pontificate, but Seuss said,

We have to figure out how to ask the right questions and we will find ourselves closer to the answers.

He encouraged us to face our troubles.

He encouraged us to be honest with our feelings and words.

He encouraged us to learn.

He warned us that life is but a vapor and is passing away – thus to embrace today today.

   
Theodor Geisel died, September 24, 1991. Dr. Seuss lives on.