"Life is meant to be fun, and joyous, and fulfilling. May each of
yours be that - having each of you as a child of mine has certainly been
one of the good things in my life. Know that I've always loved each of
you with an eternal, bottomless love. A love that has nothing to do with
each other, for I feel my love for each of you is total and
all-encompassing. Please watch out for each other and love and forgive
everybody. It`s a good life, enjoy it."
Jim Henson September 24, 1936 - May 16, 1990
22 years ago today, Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets, died of pneumonia, leaving behind a legacy that still lives on in the Muppets. A legacy that continues to bring joy to children and adults alike.
I'd like to fancy myself a bit of a Muppet Historian. Growing up, some of my best memories feature the Muppets. I loved the movies growing up, and I devoured any and all reruns of the Muppet Show I could watch. Weekday mornings were Sesame Street, weekend mornings brought Muppet Babies and Fraggle Rock. As a result, I took in every bit of Muppet lore I could get my hands on.
Most memorably, I was in fourth grade and we were sent home for Spring Break with a project. We had to read a book we'd checked out from the library and after the break we were to give a book report on it. I found a biography of Jim Henson in our small elementary school library, and it became my spring break. It was fun, but sad at the same time.
Prior to reading that book, I'd had no idea that Jim Henson had already passed, and before I myself had even been born. I was upset, and from that moment sought every little detail I could find about the Muppets I loved so dearly. To a fourth grader in the early 2000's, 1955 seemed so far in the past I was astounded. I learned about Sam & Friends, how Kermit came to be, the beginnings of Sesame Street, the history of the Muppet Show, everything. There was no end to my curiosity. That still holds true today, I'd say. I'm sort of an oddball in my family. No one else quite gets my love of musical theatre and variety, and I can safely say the Muppets drove me to it. In some way or another, the Muppets, and ergo Jim Henson, have always been present in my life. I've told my husband that no matter the mood I'm in, no matter what terrible rotten thing has happened, the Muppets can always put a smile on my face. A truer statement I've never spoken.
"Life's like a movie, write your own ending. Keep believing, keep pretending." - Jim Henson
I can't begin to say what Jim would think of the world we live in today, but I think we can all safely say that he would be happy to see that now, even 22 years after his passing, the Muppets are still a source of happiness in the world. The newest movie brought the Muppets back, and in a spirit that was true to Jim's creation and memory. To some, it was the first time they've met the Muppets, meeting new friends. To others, it was a crashing wave of nostalgia and joy, having an amazing time with old friends far from forgotten. New and old generations alike will always find common ground with the Muppets. They've taught us about life, love, friendship, happiness, and notably, loss.
"My hope still is to leave the world a bit better than when I got here." - Jim Henson
All that remains to be said, though it has been said millions of times before:
Thank
you Jim. For all you've done, for all you've created. You brought a
little bit of joy to this world that sorely needed it. You will never be
forgotten.
