For those select human beings who are determined, humble, and fortunate enough to do what they love—truly love—and contribute to making this world a better place deserve our recognition and our respect.

Carroll Spinney is one such person. For more than 40 years Mr. Spinney has been man in the yellow suit as Big Bird and the man in the garbage can as Oscar the Grouch.

Featured in a recent NPR segment with Scott Simon and an upcoming documentary, I Am Big Bird, Spinney discusses how at 81 years old he has no intention of quitting from “an awfully good job”.

As a child who grew up in the first generation of the show, it holds a special place in my heart (and my early development). It is the first place where I learned the expanse of creativity, music, imagination, and learning.