I was two and a half the day Sesame Street premiered, part of the first-generation of viewers. I was also a first-generation Canadian, a child of immigrant parents who lived in Greektown on the Danforth. That was before gentrification, when Greektown was really Greek and no English was necessary in the immigrant ghetto.

Sesame Street intended to narrow the gap between inner-city American kids and their middle-class counterparts, who would have had access to formal preschooling -- kids much like me. Until kindergarten, I spoke no English. But I had TV. And I had Sesame Street.

Sesame Street was my connection to this language that would eventually become my primary tongue. It brought me the alphabet and numbers. It also brought me colours, emotions, and all sorts of knowledge that would help me to fit in with my kindergarten peers, regardless of their ethnicity. I was speaking English perfectly within two months of starting school.

As important as language, Sesame Street also gave me beloved friends like Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, and my beloved Oscar, who was never grouchy to me. Here’s an old favourite, Oscar the Grouch singing I Love Trash.

Sesame Street didn't have that up on their YouTube stream, but check out what they did have:

This song tugs at the heartstrings of children and adults alike:

So to commemorate the show’s 40th anniversary, I invite you all, parents and former children, to share your favourite Sesame Street memories…