We all know the story "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" by Dr. Seuss, but I think we often forget the true brilliance and meaning behind Dr. Seuss' intents here. The story revolves around 'how' the Grinch steals Christmas, but has it ever occurred to anyone as to why the Grinch stole Christmas? And I don't mean the Grinch's actual thoughts on why because we're told that in the story- but why Dr. Seuss created a character like the Grinch in the first place. You see, I think the Grinch represents all of us, how we're greedy and we think Christmas is about the toys and food and the residents of Whoville represent what Christmas should be, and that's why they live in a world that is inside of a snowflake I suppose.
I think Dr. Seuss is brilliant, and he is definitely one of my favorite authors- weird I know- but the messages he sends in all of his stories while still having fun and using words that aren't even real words is what is so great about him. You see, Dr. Seuss takes real life issues and problems and moral controversies and turns them into stories that kids can not only understand and learn from but enjoy and remember forever. Every single word that this man has created or written down will be documented forever, and I hope every single day that he never goes unnoticed or fades into the background because he is responsible for shaping so many lessons and morals for kids. The most magical thing about Dr. Seuss is that his stories are timeless- they will never be outgrown or unrelatable and they will never be looked at with criticism or question because they are that relatable.
Christmas is right around the corner, and I know that I've learned that even though I may relate to the Grinch, he's always in the back of my mind when his heart grows and he understands the true meaning of Christmas again. I suppose this is so important to me because I know I will never be the richest person, and I will definitely never be basking in fame or fortune or any of that stuff, but what I do have is the ability and heart to understand why this day is a holiday. I can thank Dr. Seuss for my imagination, heart, soul, and most of all- love for English. He will forever hold the spot in my High School yearbook as my senior quote, "Adults are just obsolete children and the hell with them." I live by this quote, because as I continue to enter adulthood I want to always remember that being an 'adult' is just a label just like being a 'Grinch' is used to label anyone who hates Christmas- but never forget that the Grinch ends up loving Christmas... so does the Scrooge; ponder that one for a while.
