We matter to each other

Heroes! Memories! Surprises!

The opening lines of the Reading Rainbow theme song began to blast from the speakers. Immediately you could hear the audience of over 6,000 people singing along. Word for word. In harmony. With gusto:

“Take a look! It’s in a book! Reading Rainbow!”

I can’t tell you what I had for lunch last Thursday, but I can recall every single line and note of that song. There must be little areas in our brains where certain memories hide, little places where treasured experiences go. They say beloved songs like television themes and jingles are stored in the hippocampus. But there must be some other spot for things we cherish that defy category . . .

Surely we have places in our minds that are like the backs of washing machines and dryers. Some memories just seem to slip into hidden crevices like this as if they’re lost socks awaiting our rediscovery of them. Something bumps the old dryer and everything is brought back into the light. That’s the region that lit up as the Reading Rainbow theme began to play and the LeVar Burton stepped on the stage.

But it wasn’t just the song.

They said I could just go up and talk to him.

“He’s right over there,” they told me, “just say hello.” Sounds easy, but I’d already made peace with the fact that I would be too nervous. This was one of my childhood heroes — a hero for millions of others too— LeVar Burton. It was enough of an honor just to be speaking at the same event as him. I resolved to sit quietly backstage, work on my talk, and give the man some privacy. That would be enough.

Enter Jana. A ‘retired’ teacher, principal, and coach, who clearly knows people and cares about people. Instantly I could tell we’d be fast friends because she had in each of her hands a bubble gun. Jana serves as one of the event managers for the gathering. It’s called Get Your Teach On and is designed to encourage and inspire educators in a way I’ve never seen. I do lots of events with and for educators, but nothing like this. It was like personal development … but make it a party.

Surrounded by bubbles and realizing I needed a little nudge, Jana yells: “Brad, have you met LeVar?!”

I walk over. We shake hands. We talk Fred Rogers! and Star Trek! He asks what I do. I tell him. He pulls me in closer and tells me how much I matter. Just then, a flood of little memories are dislodged from behind one of the old appliances in my brain. Just as the Reading Rainbow theme could be recalled without struggle, the sound of his voice unlocked feelings of a younger me being encouraged. What a profound influence his presence had made in my life at such a young age. You don’t forget that kind of impact.

In 2014 when it was announced that they were looking to update Reading Rainbow for a new generation, it quickly broke records for most successful Kickstarter campaign ever. It’s no suprrise. There’s just something about how deeply it matters to us when people impact us positively as children. It sticks with us. We hold on to it. We want to pay it forward. We want to say thank you.

I got to tell LeVar thank you.

Brad (me) + childhood hero (LeVar Burton) + Jana’s bubbles

After leaving Dallas (and my new friend LeVar) I headed to speak in Searcy, Arkansas. This was for a camp that I love. I was already really looking forward to it, but could’ve never anticipated just how unforgettable it would be.

The camp surprised me. Big time. They arranged to fly in two of my heroes! These guys were my camp counselors years ago at the very camp I now get to serve at! These men have continued to be treasured people I look to and learn from.

I was stunned.

Like a total goofball I fell down. This was, of course, captured on video and happened in front of over a thousand teenagers.

We matter to each other. We matter to each other. We matter to each other. Whether it’s the people who read to us when we were kids or the people who believed in us when we were awkward teenagers, we don’t forget the ways people impact us for the better. We matter to each other. We just do. The last week has been a huge reminder of that for me.

So, all that to say: I’ve been traveling over the last week. It wasn’t easy being away from camp, but with the amazing staff we have, there were no worries about things not going well without me. Mostly I was just sad about ... well…. amazing things going on without me! FOMO is real.

As I write this, I’m back at camp. It is a hot Tennessee morning. Already there are campers requesting I join them for a game of 9 Square. I am sweaty. I am tired, but somehow I feel up to it. Maybe I’ve found the energy because I’ve been reminded just how much the things we do for kids can matter. They remember. The little things are a big deal. They stick with you.

So, here’s to trying to do some things for kids that are worth remembering . . .

P.S. I’ll be sharing some of what I presented onstage at the educator’s event with all of you very soon! SO excited about it. We had a Fail-A-Bration with 6,000+ people and it was absolute magic. I’m working on some meaningful ways to share and help you throw fail parties of your own. Stay tuned!

Three things:

• An honor! Amazon has named The Fantastic Bureau of Imagination one of the BEST CHILDREN’S BOOKS of 2023 so far!

• Speaking! Plywood People’s event for social changemakers is happening August 24 and I’m speaking at it! Tickets are available now!

• Shop! We still have a few signed book bundles left. All orders are packaged by hand and sent directly to you from Kristi and myself. Browse here!