From Sesame Street to My Street-A Life with Big Bird

Whenever I’d visit Grandma’s house, she’d often be busy babysitting my younger cousins, so I had the pleasure of watching children’s TV shows on the living room TV. I sang along to The Little Einsteins opening theme song with my cousin, Julian, and together we’d mimic their red rocket ship flying through the air. Afterwards, we’d dance to Yo Gabba Gabba and Grandma would make the both of us a snack; a warm, handmade tortilla slathered with butter, and we’d eagerly anticipate a yellow and orange bird. My favorite memory was watching him talk to Big Bird on screen as he walked down the streets of his neighborhood, talking to his friends. Big Bird’s vibrant, yellow and silky feathers would move frequently as he interacted with his best friends, Elmo and Oscar the Grouch, on Sesame Street. I remember seeing my cousin’s face light up as he looked for the Big Bird stuffed animal in Grandma’s spare room. Sesame Street has held a special place in my heart ever since, because I loved seeing how animated my younger cousin became upon seeing this brightly colored, optimistic bird.

Since 1969, Carroll Spinney played the 8’2 character of Big Bird and was responsible for bringing joy and empathy to the minds and hearts of young children everywhere. Spinney grew up with a strong love for puppeteering and imbued his characters like Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, and Cookie Monster, with personality. Spinney served in the Air Force before joining the cast of Sesame Street and he often reported that he felt pressured to act mature and grow up. He claims that people forget what it’s like to be a child; so, he gave Big Bird a bubbly, curious, and charming personality that had the voice of a young kid. Spinney suffered from Dystonia which were unintentional muscle contractions that force the body into painful, or uncomfortable, positions. Regardless of his mental and physical health, Carroll Spinney taught his viewers valuable lessons that they’d carry with them into adulthood. 

The episode that I watched with my cousin, Julian, which taught me my most valuable lesson was when Big Bird lost his nest. Sesame Street is hit by a large hurricane and Big Bird helps his neighbor, Gordon, sweep the streets of debris when he wonders what might have happened to his own nest. He walks towards his nest and is horrified to discover that his nest was blown away; he’s lost all of his belongings and has to deal with the emotions that come with loss. Big Bird is vulnerable and becomes frustrated, but recenters himself by remembering he has his friends. Big Bird’s nest is eventually rebuilt by his community that offered him emotional support combined with acts of service. I’ve had a lot of low moments in my life and have experienced hardship many times, but I find solace when returning to this gem of an episode. I may have lost things precious and valuable to me, but my community is what helps me to rebuild and transform that loss into something new and more meaningful. Big Bird deserves to be on TV for years to come, so that one day I can watch Sesame Street and eat warm tortillas with my children in the future.