Optimistic Voices

I didn't think I could ever watch "The Wizard of Oz" again. But tonight, surfing through the channels, Grace spotted it and said she wanted to watch (for the hundredth time). Jennifer was
also home and agreed - so we tuned in just as Dorothy was going to meet the Scarecrow. Somehow - unbelievably, I got hooked. And I was 7 years old again, sitting on the floor of our house on Sawleaf Street and watching it on our ancient Zenith TV set - in black and white.

It was on annually, with Danny Kaye as the host, and every kid in the neighborhood got excited about it. As a child, you prepared for these special evenings of entertainment. They were something to look forward to for a whole week and the day of the airing, the entire street of kids was planning for the viewing! Moms bought "Jiffy Pop" and it was like a holiday.

My sister and I would be bathed and in pajamas by the time the show started. My mom would walk us through what it looked like when Dorothy opens the door onto Munchkinland and the flowers were "every color of the rainbow". Even in black and white you could see that something had changed. It was wonderful to finally see it color but I don't think that anything beat having my mother describe it to us. And it was this scene that I remembered this evening. My mother making it magic for us - even in black and white.

And my very favorite song from the movie - "Optimistic Voices" as the four friends leave the field of poisoned poppies and dance toward the Emerald City - clearly in view:

You're out of the woods

You're out of the dark

You're out of the night

Step into the sun

Step into the light

Keep straight ahead for the most glorious place

On the face of the earth or the sky

Hold on to your breath

Hold on to your heart

Hold on to your hope

March up to the gate and bid it open

Isn't that the most perfect lyric?