Dr. Seuss

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." ("Dr. Seuss Quotes"). The man who spoke these words was a hero cherished by many. This man was Theodor Seuss Geisel, more commonly known as Dr. Seuss. This extraordinary man was a writer and illustrator, who was the second child to Theodor Robert Geisel and Henrietta (Seuss) Geisel, born March 2nd, 1904 ("Seuss, Dr."). He was married to Helen Palmer, until she passed, and then was married Audrey Stone Diamond for the rest of his life, until 1991, when he passed away in La Jolla, California ("Seuss, Dr."). Throughout Seuss's lifetime he had written 48 books (Koehler), and received many awards, but it is not just the number of books that he wrote that made him a hero. To be a hero, one must be caring. One must care about people and the journey one takes in life. One must also be perseverant; to strive for things, and to not give up when rejected. That is why Dr. Seuss was a hero, because he was caring and perseverant.

One reason Dr. Seuss was a hero was because he was caring. Throughout Seuss's life he received many awards. One including the, "National Association of Elementary School Principals special award, 1982, for distinguished service to children; Pulitzer Prize, 1984" ("Seuss, Dr."). The elementary school teachers who awarded him with this special award could see the caring heart he had. By performing this distinguished service, he demonstrated how he cared a lot about children. Seuss also cared for people other than children; especially people in his family. In an article it states, "Geisel enjoyed a warm family life and was especially close to his older sister, Margaretha. His earliest memories of home were of a stuffed dog his mother gave him. He treasured it through life as a symbol of his loving childhood and kept it close to his drawing board." (Koehler). Because he cared for his family so much he always tried to keep them close. After all, it was his family that taught him to care. That is why he had accomplished so much. Now that Seuss has been shown to be a caring man, many people around the world care for him, as he cared about everything in life.

Seuss was also perseverant throughout his entire life. He always tried his best in life. In an article it states , when Seuss was at an early stage in his life, "After several months of rejections, Geisel found a job as a staff writer and cartoonist for Judge magazine. This allowed him to marry Palmer on November 27, 1927, and she became his collaborator and editor." (Koehler). This shows that no matter how many times Seuss was rejected he pursued his dream. He never quit, he persevered on, and eventually got what he strived for through his determination and hard work. Seuss was also perseverant when it came to his work. In a biography about Seuss it states, "It is true that Ted was a demon for detail..." (Cohen). Seuss was always determined to get the best, or at least what he believed to be acceptable. It demonstrates how he strived for perfection in every aspect of his life. These reasons bring in conclusion that he indeed was a perseverant man.

In these past few minutes, it has been proven that Dr. Seuss was a hero because he was caring and perseverant. He was a man who cared for everyone, and everything. He was also someone who never quit, until all was right. Dr. Seuss has inspired many people. It was once stated that, "Through his unusual drawings and unique use of language, Geisel introduced generations of children to the joys of reading and the wonders of the imagination." (Koehler). These next generations are now going to strive to do things like Seuss did, and imagine things that may have seemed impossible before. Therefore Dr. Seuss is an inspirational hero. He has brought our attention to many different perspectives about life. In one of his statements he explains, "Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!" And if that can't inspire someone, I don't know what will. So, now I end with a thank you, to Dr. Seuss, for the many dreams he has brought to me, and so many others.