Good morning,
My almost two-year-old son has become an avid Peppa Pig fan, and I've found myself joining the ranks of enthusiasts. When questioned about his preference for Peppa over other cartoons, I reflect on a moment about a year ago when Peppa became the soothing remedy during a tantrum over a car seat. As time passed, I've grown fond of Peppa and her coterie, appreciating not only my son's enthusiasm but also the quirky storylines and fun characters.
In support of his Peppa phase, we've engaged in various Peppa-related activities. Recently, he experienced his first movie in a theater—an hour-long feature titled "Peppa's Cinema Party." This past weekend, he frolicked at excitement-capacity as he explored the Peppa Pig World of Play at Woodfield Mall. What struck me most about both events was, given his age, his unbridled joy and presence, unaffected by anticipation or expectations.
I recently watched the new special by one of my favorite standups, Maria Bamford. In “Local Act,” she riffs on family, recovery and mental health with her singular blend of vulnerability, irony, wacky takes, physical comedy and array of characters/voices. Toward the end of the special I was shocked when she invoked my son’s favorite cartoon character.
Bamford builds up to Peppa when talking about how her husband built her a Little Free Library for their front lawn in Los Angeles. She begins the book bit by saying “how sometimes when you have a Little Free Library, sometimes you get Dan Brown… take out your own f*cking trash! This is a carefully curated nook!” She then goes on to say how her favorite books to arrive in her library were children’s literature. “Oh my god, I forgot how upbeat children’s literature is… Peppa Pig?! Have you read what she’s up to? She’s just like, ‘I’m Peppa Pig, and this is my baby brother, and I’m waiting for the first day of school [and] the school bus.’ And she’s just, like, positive! No past. No future. In the now. Primary colors. It’s like, yes… y’know?”
Bamford segues her Peppa observations with a sublime take on Richard Scarry’s Busy, Busy Town. Without spoiling, she goes into the backstories about the animal characters in Scarry’s classic book.
She says, “In children’s literature, there’s no haunting, adult realistic backstory.” She then jokes about what these cartoon characters’ backstories could be: “The cat, you know, he’s a baker. It’s a third generation business, his heart’s not in it…” “The mouse cop: is he one of the good ones?” “The alligator [taxi driver] cannot slow down because the gig economy is killing him.” “The lowly worm… he used to think he had a love of travel. Turns out he was just trying to escape himself. One thing you bring everywhere with you is: you.”
Bamford then goes on to talk about what she’d be like as a cartoon character, how the kids would perceive her and then what kinds of questions adults would be asking about her background. Poignant and hilarious.
Reflecting on these experiences, I've come to appreciate the depth within every individual. Life, with its mix of tragic, painful, and uplifting moments, forms the tapestry of the full human experience. Watching my son revel in the joy of Peppa Pig, I realized the beauty of being present and not dwelling on the transient nature of childhood phases.
I felt joyful and present watching my son experience Peppa. I wasn’t wistful that this phase will only last so long, nor was I jealous of his capacity to be so in-the-moment. His ways of being influenced and altered me during our time at Peppa’s Play World. And while seeing his joy and acknowledging my love for him, I remembered that, as a person under two years old, he’s only loved for who he is, not what he does. It’s a reminder that we’re all deserving of that love, that opportunity for grace, to be loved for who we are and not necessarily what we do or don’t do.
Take a moment to consider someone you can acknowledge and love simply for being who they are. And how can you extend that acknowledgment to yourself?
Until next time,
Matt
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Loved what you wrote- as always you wrote an inspiring and thoughtful peace! What particularly hit me was « joy and acknowledging my love for him, I remembered that, as a person under two years old, he’s only loved for who he is, not what he does. It’s a reminder that we’re all deserving of that love, that opportunity for grace, to be loved for who we are and not necessarily what we do or don’t do.
Take a moment to consider someone you can acknowledge and love simply for being who they are. And how can you extend that acknowledgment to yourself? » great reminder to simply love someone because… xoxo
Beautifully stated Matt and so true! I have noticed with my two grandsons who are 7 and 4 they are now enjoying Peppa Pig a lot! Before it was Bluey which is also an excellent quirky upbeat way of raising children and lots of valuable learning and teaching moments and a fun way of teaching and learning for the whole family 👍🏻!