Issue 7.12
The National Education Association’s “Read Across America” celebration is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss.
Taking some pointers from the Cat in the Hat, Social Security’s own Mouse in the House has something for you to read. You may learn a thing or two …
The sun was not shining. Outside it was wet.
Grandma was whining, all full of regret.
I sat there with Granny. Just looking outside.
I asked, “What’s wrong?” Then she almost cried.
She said, “I’m unhappy. You want to know why?
I turned 66, and it’s time to apply!
But outside it’s so wet and so slick and so cold,
When the weather gets better, I might be too old!”
Every One here in Oneville, when they reach the right number,
Applies for Social Security. To forget is to blunder.
But all we could do was to wait, wait, wait, wait.
To wait for nice weather. It wasn’t so great.
And then, something went CLICK!
That click made our hearts tick!
We looked, and remembered what we had in our house.
We looked and remembered! Our house had a mouse!
The mouse said, “I know it’s bad weather for driving.
But today’s just the right kind of day for onlining!
I know a good website, one that you’ll love.
And I call it Social Security dot gov!”
We logged on the computer and went to the site.
In a matter of minutes, Granny’s smile was on tight!
The mouse said, “Online is the way to apply!”
With a grin on her face, Granny said “Oh my!”
Granny cheered, “Look, look!” And she shook with glee.
“I’m done applying! That was so, so easy!
The application was so slick and so fast and so fun,
Let’s go dance in the rain, now that I’m done!”
Then Grandpa woke up, looking quite down.
His pajamas were frumpy. On his face was a frown.
His age was rising and so was the water.
“I don’t want to go out in that rain, but I oughter.”
“What will I do,” Grandpa asked about later.
“I need to apply, and I’m not a good wader.”
Granny and I did not know what to say.
Should we tell him about what we’d done here this day?
Should we help him get to Social Security online?
We did. And now Granny and Grandpa are fine.
When retirement age comes to someone you love,
Take them to Social Security dot gov.