Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
I’m no Nostradamus, and one thing that I certainly never foresaw was a More Than a Speed Bump post sharing a title with a well known children’s book. Oh, the Places You’ll Go was the last Dr. Suess book published during his lifetime (Published on January 22, 1990 prior to Dr. Suess death in September of ’91 at 87 years old). So how is it, you ask, “You ended up sitting down and flipping through one of Dr. Seuss most cherished titles?”
Truth be told; when I was putting a book that I had finished and left on the floor, nearly spraining my ankle on as I rushed out of bed in the darkness of early morning to serve King Clooney, back in the bookcase, the book’s colorful cover caught my eye. Of course, this didn’t happen immediately because the sore ankle and foul language only implanted the thought, “I should put that book away”, rather than precipitating immediate action. But when I finally got around to returning the book, aided by some light thankfully, I had to investigate whether my faint memory of how it wound up in my possession was correct…
After opening the front cover an inscription (dated 6/16/01) congratulating me on my High School graduation confirmed my suspicions, I had indeed received the book from family friends who lived in the neighborhood where we had lived for almost 20 years. After getting a little boost in confidence about the state of my long term memory I just had to see where it was Dr. Seuss foresaw that I would go and if he’d been right?
The book’s theme of continuous change and novel experiences has certainly held true. I found the story to be surprisingly realistic in it’s proportionality of “good/successful” versus “bad/challenging” situations arising. Whether intended or not, I found a strong message from the tale’s young protagonist was consistent forward motion is paramount to a successful life.
Of course, along his journey the story’s young hero traverses many different locales. Some beautifully scenic and some rather bland, some dark and scary with others warm with and colorful. Perhaps most telling is how at times he is in friendly company being encouraged and cheered yet other times he seems to trudge a lonely road. I’m no biblical scholar able to cite chapter and verse, but I couldn’t help but feel that even when alone, the boy was accompanied by a supernatural force reminding me of the “Footsteps” passage.
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)
KID YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!
With the above encouraging words, Dr. Suess wishes the reader well in their future endeavors on the final page of Oh, the Places You’ll Go! . I appreciate Doc’s realism in withholding one and a quarter percent of certainty in his guarantee. My final takeaway really echos the message my dear friend Barry always conveys…”It’s gonna be OK!”