Carole Gariepy of Phillipston: Finding inspiration at Dr. Seuss museum in Springfield

I never expected a number plate would inspire me to write a story. Beyond that, it inspired me to visit a museum in Springfield, a children's museum. Gerry joined me and we spent a fun day enjoying a second childhood.

It's Ruth Smith's number plate. She's a younger relative and I saw the plate when I walked back to the car with her after she came for a visit. UNLESS! Younger folks who are familiar with "The Lorax," the environmental protection character in the well-known Dr. Seuss book, would probably know immediately the significance of UNLESS, but I hadn't read the book so UNLESS seemed like a very strange choice for a vanity plate until she told how the story read to her in childhood influenced her to study Environmental Education in college, which led to a teaching career with New Hampshire Audubon. (I was excited to read the book. A friend from church had it and loaned it to me.)

"The Lorax" warned about what would happen if natural resources weren't protected and showed the devastating things that happened to the environment when the trees, the water, and the air were used carelessly and uncared for. Ruth's number plate with its capital letters stands out and expresses a reminder to people traveling on her driving routes about the important message in that book.

"UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot,nothing is going to get better.It's not."

We saw the Lorax in The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss. That museum is like walking into a Dr. Seuss book. We met the Lorax along with many other characters, all full-size creations displayed in the vibrant colorful settings Dr. Seuss illustrated in his books. And, books were available throughout the museum for folks to read. It was obvious from the kids' excitement when they saw the familiar displays that they knew the stories, but we had to read the books to learn them, and as we read, we realized that each story had an underlying good-life message, a message that is good for people of all ages.

"Horton Hatches an Egg" teaches us the importance of giving support to others, being faithful to a friend, and putting someone else's needs before our own. "The Butter Battle" emphasizes equality, that we're all different but everyone has special qualities and deserves respect and being listened to. "The Sneetches" reminds us not to focus on our weaknesses but to embrace our own natural strengths. "Green Eggs and Ham" tells us to be willing to try new things, that you may like them more than you expected. "Oh, the Places You'll Go" inspires us to have faith in ourselves, that there's no limit to what we can achieve. I like the way that book points out the importance of making good choices:

You have brains in your head,You have feet in your shoes,You can steer yourselfany direction you choose.You're on your own. And you know what you know.And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go. You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care. About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there." With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

The very creative illustrations and rhythmic words in the Dr. Seuss books hold kids' attention, they inspire a love of reading, they teach good citizenship, and they celebrate a person's individuality. The museum visit brought to mind the words of President John Kennedy when he said, "We must educate our children. They are our most valuable resource."

The museum has three floors – one for all the stories, one filled with creative activities for visitors to do, and one with Dr. Seuss's own personal life history.

As we explored, we found a book that was just right for us – "You're Only Old Once." Dr. Seuss wrote it in his elderly years telling how visits to the doctor become a big part of one's life. His unique illustrations of the medical devices show an old timer's eyes, ears, heart, skin, allergies, etc. being tested, and Dr. Seuss comically adds his bonding with a fish in the tank of the waiting room. He ends the story with the classic comment, "You're in pretty good shape for the shape you are in!"

I'm thankful for the many good thoughts that came from the UNLESS number plate. I think of the "Green Eggs and Ham" story. UNLESS we saw that number plate, we wouldn't have tried something new ... like going to a children's museum and having such an interesting experience.

The Lorax story is especially poignant as we consider Earth Day. It gives us all something to think about and to acknowledge the responsibility of each one of us – good things won't happen UNLESS we all do our part.

Carole Gariepy is a Phillipston resident and author of “Dragging Gerry around the World” and “Why Go There?”

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Dr. Seuss museum in Springfield MA offers Earth Day inspiration