DADS READ: “Sam & Dave Dig A Hole” by author Mac Barnett and illustrator Jon Klassen

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JER: “Sam & Dave Dig A Hole” by author Mac Barnett and illustrator Jon Klassen (one of my favorite artists/authors BTW) is all about expectations and the innate randomness of life. “Sam and Dave are digging a hole and they will not stop until they find something spectacular” (inside front cover). The reader watches in frustration as Sam & Dave narrowly miss digging up larger and larger pink gems. 

Are the gems supposed to be the “something spectacular”? Ultimately, “something spectacular” does happen, but not what I expected.  Sam & Dave seem to be perfectly pleased with the result, and they are happy to head inside for “chocolate milk and animal cookies” to reminisce over their “spectacular”.

If there were a narrator or reader of our life, would they look on in frustration as we missed finding increasingly large metaphorical “gems”? Are we missing out on “something spectacular” just out of sight or around the corner?  Are we better off finding joy in the magical reality we are experiencing, or should we be fearful that we are missing out in something even more “spectacular”? 

I don’t know.  I have recently found a lot of peace in exploring the philosophy of “Stoicism” - which focuses on viewing the world and experiences with a rational mindset.  We never know what may happen tomorrow.  We can only be sure that we have this moment right now, and we should enjoy it as if it were our last chance: to see our loved one, to see a sunset, to see a full moon, or to wish our fathers a “Happy Father’s Day”.

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