Storytelling Magic - Poignant, Beautiful Stories

I expected to cry for the 15th time as midwives and nuns helped to deliver babies, and I didn't hide my tears watching a humble, good-hearted man and a haughty, well-bred woman stumble through pride, war and social barriers toward love and family life. When a red, adorable puppet talked to a burn victim about what to do with bad emotions when things get very hard, I couldn't help my emotion...and gratitude that such a conversation exists for children in the maelstrom of mindless media. Yet, with all this precedent, I certainly didn't expect to cry one evening about industrious beaver families building a life for themselves. I was surprised even to find myself tearing up as my preschooler sang me a song one afternoon that he had learned in a neighborhood of talking animals.

Such is the power of PBS. Such are the stories it tells, and nothing has yet to match them. While other networks keep fishing for the latest reality-TV farce, the next supernatural crime drama, or the status quo sex-is-cheap sitcom, PBS continues to tell us our history - or that of beavers. It continues to give us beautiful and vibrant visual interpretations of the greatest stories ever written or provide period dramas with subtle social commentary on days gone by. We travel to Antarctica, China, Turkey or Ireland on a dime - and not always to enjoy the view but often to learn more about the human condition.

Lately, the guilt had been bugging me like a pesky full-body rash; I had not supported my local public broadcasting station in some time. There is no excuse. My favorite Mom's Night In television is on PBS: Downton Abbey, Sherlock, Call the Midwife, and almost every other Masterpiece Classic or Masterpiece Mystery show.

I've also joked more then once that I have raised my kids on PBS. And why? Because their children's programming teaches little ones about love, compassion, friendship, family, healthy ways to deal with emotions, saying thank you, washing hands properly, safety, perseverance, good choices - really, just name a positive lesson for your kids to learn, this station has it covered. Knowing that - how grateful I am for all it has given my kids in educational television - caused me the most guilt. What really put me over the edge was when Daniel, my preschooler, came up to me one day and sang this line from Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood (based on Mr. Roger's Neighborhood):

"Thank you
for everything you do-oo!"

And gave me a big hug and smile to boot. What in heck was wrong with me that I had not supported something that taught my preschooler to express gratitude? Entertainment is not just entertainment when it comes to kids. We try to give them age-appropriate, quality fodder for their young minds, and, obviously, my favorite station was doing just that. (Of course, this doesn't mean any of us think it's healthy to just sit our kids in front of the TV all day - no matter what is on. They need books, games, projects and plenty of outside time, too!)

Now I know we're frugal in this family, but I swallowed my ridiculous reservations and talked to my husband about my guilt, pointing out everything our family gains from such a quality public service. I should have done it much sooner. He's a good man who recognizes a good deal. It was an easy sale.

So this morning as I watched Sesame Street with my four kids - yes, even the 11-year-old who told me I had to come watch because they were talking about cellphone addiction - I was grateful to feel pride, not guilt, as we all laughed at the antics of people and puppets alike, enjoying the storytelling with a message that makes PBS a Mom's best friend.

Quick Takes: Daniel is Four, Faith and Giving

"He's not ready for that!"

Daniel just turned four a couple of weeks ago, and as I watched my husband take the training wheels off his bike, my gut reaction was to blurt out those words.

I shouldn't have said them, because I was wrong. Matthew placed our littlest guy on his small bike and gave him a push, and Danny Sam pedaled forward with a smile and no inhibition. I may not have been ready, but he was. He may still have some trouble negotiating the turns and getting started on his own, but the boy is indeed learning to ride a big boy bike. And he just began Sunday!

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Beware of saying the words, "I have to go to the bathroom," in this house. Danny will start singing to you:

When you have to go
Stop!
And go right away
Flush and wash
And be on your way!

He learned it from Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood on PBS. I don't mind, really, because I love PBS. (I joke that I've raised my kids on PBS - hours and hours of it.) He also loves the Special song and the one that encourages, "Keep trying - you'll get be-et-ter!" I miss Mr. Rogers; I'm glad they found a way to bring him back to us.

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I've discovered a lot of great blogs lately, this one just this morning. The writer is a Catholic mother from the Newtown community. Her life, the lives of everyone in that community, was changed by the horror at Sandy Hook Elementary, and she decided to write more openly about her faith. I love her post today: Living by Faith. I am often a fearful person, and I do not have the reason to be fearful that so many do. I find that whenever I feel hampered by my fears, I am able to move outside their influence primarily because of my faith.

Speaking of faith, Jennie from A Lady in France regularly writes faith posts on her blog. I don't always agree with her completely, but I like her courage and appreciate her knowledge of scripture. Today on her post, On Being Good, she is helping to raise awareness of a non-profit that sprang from a beautiful collection of stories by grieving mothers, to which she contributed, who have lost a child: Sunshine After the Storm, Inc. They are working toward donating 100 copies of the book to hospitals and bereavement groups on Mother's Day and are accepting donations now. Please consider giving. I think it is a beautiful idea brimming with love for our fellow mothers. To find out more about this campaign, please visit Jennie's blog through the above link.

I'm Thankful for Big Bird

This morning I was mesmerized - by Sesame Street. Listen, friends, PBS is quality programming; it's far better than letting your kids watch the rot on other networks where most of the "kids" shows are vulgar, semi-violent, too mature and bizarre.

Anyway, give me a moment to climb off this beloved soapbox...ah, there I am. Soooo, I was talking Big Bird.

This morning on Sesame Street, Big Bird's friends, Gordon, Gabby, Elmo, Maria, Telly, etc., were helping Big Bird rebuild his nest after a hurricane, and I was touched by the gentle and expert way in which this scary topic was being addressed. I got misty-eyed, because I was sure that this show, with its abundance of love, friendship and determination surrounding the fear and uncertainty, could really help children cope with the sometimes humongous curve balls that life can throw at you.

Hey, Big Bird helped me recebtly when I was feeling scared, and I'm an adult.

When I woke up suddenly my first night in the hospital in September, I saw the motorcycle that t-boned our van speeding at me again. It replayed in the darkness with sound effects provided by some loud banging in the Surgical Care corridor. I had to silence the ghost, so I turned on the TV. As I flipped the channels through cheesy and violent programming at 2 am, I finally landed on Sesame Street. I sighed and settled in like a child with an old lovey. I felt safe again.

I saw some commercials a few years ago where adults talked about how Sesame Street changed their lives as children, took them out of their dismal circumstances to a happier place, helped them learn English when their family first immigrated to the US, or even set them on the right path to realize their dream job. I believe them.

I feel guilty that my kids watch too much TV at times, especially lately as I've recuperated, but I do not feel guilty that they watch PBS. Mr. Rogers, Big Bird, Ruff Ruffman, these are giants - lovable, gentle, teaching giants - in the world of technology. I hope we can always keep our kids grounded in their educational and compassionate programming.