It's not easy being green. -Kermit the Frog
Last night we watched a special called "The Greatest Muppet Moments." It was all about Jim Henson and his creations. Now, I have said it before, but I'll say it again - if I had to do it all over I think my dream job would have been to work in Jim Henson's Creature Shop. I think it must be the most creative, interesting and inspiring place to be. I imagine all of those faces peering out from drawers and cupboards, just waiting to be brought out and given life.
I cried when Jim Henson died. I remember it clearly. I was in high school and I remember just being SO SAD. I read every article I could about him in the time that followed. Two things I remember best are: the card that Disney sent to the company that showed a dejected Kermit sitting with his back to us with Mickey Mouse sitting with his arm around him, and a card that the company apparently got from a little girl. It read, "God must have needed Muppets in Heaven." (I STILL get a little wobbly when I read that back.)
I sat and watched the clips last night with a huge smile on my face. I know that my eyes were sparkling. I remembered a lot of the scenes from when I was little and I got just as much pleasure out of them this time. I am an unabashed fan of The Muppets. I sometimes wonder why. It could be that my first T.V. memories were of Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch. It could be that they appeal to the kid that I still am. Or it could also be that in this world where Disney gets criticized for so many things, and kids are getting into more and more trouble, I find them refreshing and REAL. Yes, I said REAL. They are silly. They make us laugh. They make us feel empathy and inspiration. They may be made out of fabric and plastic, but we watch them and BELIEVE in them. Jim Henson may have died, but his legacy of love and laughter and goofiness and joy lives on. What a legacy to leave. I will be forever grateful - and forever inspired.
"Someday we'll find it, the Rainbow Connection, the Lovers, the Dreamers, and Me."
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10 comments:
This is such a great, heartwarming, FUN post! I just cried when I read about God needing Muppets in heaven!
I love the Muppets, as well--some of my best memories are of watching The Muppet Show during warm, Summer evenings with my cousin (in our jammies, eating ice cream soup, before bed). In the past year, we have bought our boys so many Muppet videos and they just love them!
Thank you for taking me back--also, thanks for sharing your passion about everything Muppet!
Meg, I wish you could see our friend Tyler's Muppet collection. There's a company ... I'll try to think of the name... that does Muppet "action figures" and they're really top-quality and fun! There's an "invisible" Fozzy, Animal's whole band, and everything -- & Tyler who's handy & creative, makes little dioramas to put them in! It's like an obsession.
Also, I will most certainly search for Muppets stamps for you -- can't recall if they're still available at the post office or not -- and also, have you seen Dark Crystal?
And did you see Mirrormask last year? It's a Henson production directed and designed by Jim's and my favorite artist: a Brit named Dave McKean. Ever heard of him?
i absolutely love the muppets too. it brings back such an innocense within me when watching it.
when i was in high school, i used to imitate the kermit song "rainbow connection" to make my friends laugh (ask Letha...she knows) and my sister used to always say "Hiiiiyya!" imitating Miss Piggy. ;)
thank you for bringing those sweet memories back.
ps. i added a few new links to my blog so that you can hear the song, girlfriend. xoxoxo
Oh, the rainbow connection got me. I think it's so important to celebrate those who bring such joy and creativity into the world. Thank you for sharing your love and memories.
I don't believe I missed that! I love the muppets, i still laugh at, "If frogs couldn't hop, I'd be gone with the schwinn."
i remember my brother crying when jim henson died because he would never be able to work with him (he was in grade school at the time...his dream then). i used to love watching the muppet show as a kid. when i was sick last fall, my husband bought me the first season in dvd. you gotta have it meg. so much fun!
i appreciate this heart-felt post girl. beautiful.
Looking through all the names to your comments - i think we´ve found it, "the rainbow connection"!!!
So love this post! I can't wait to introduce my Madam to the Muppets.
I LOVE the Rainbow Connection--we sang it at my grammar school graduation. :) Thanks for the memories...
Rainbow connection! What a great song! I never was a Sesame Street kid, but mine are and Elmo and Grover especially make me laugh. For our family the Muppet Show was ritual, a standard part of the week. There's nothing as good as that on in the evening for kids anymore, in the States anyway. Who was your favorite? I always liked the chef myself.
Do you have the John Denver and Muppet Christmas album? It's my new favourite!! xoxo
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