I could relate to many of these characters, growing up. I was often crabby like Lucy, bewildered like Sally, addicted to blanket and thumb like Linus, and felt outcast like Charlie Brown. I guess maybe these charcters are exaggerations of common human experiences, especially at that point when childhood dreams hit harsh reality and we realize that others don't see us the way we see ourselves. 

I like them all.  Rebekah is Linus, she won't go any where with out her blanket or Woody.  The Peanuts hold a very dear piece of my heart for a few reasons.  In Dec of 2003 my youth leader was killed on 43 when someone went to pass on a double yellow line.  He was like the dad I always wanted.  He collected Snoopy and as irony had it his favorite episode was the Christmas one.  I can't watch it with out crying. Flash forward to Aug of 2004 I met my husband.  He collects Snoopy and has the same exact first and middle name as my youth leader.  I feel like Brian put Snoopy and my husband knowing how hard this was on me.  When I got married my youth leaders wife gave us a Snoopy ornament for our gift. 

OK sorry for the sentimentalness.  Just always reminds me of how loved I am by two amazing men.  I do believe the Peanuts Gang mixes that childhood dreams with adult reality. 

Thanks for sharing that beautiful story, Rachel.

I have a story, too. I cried through You're a Good Man Charlie Brown last night. My school perfomed it when I was in 5th grade. My good friend, Melanie, had an amazing voice and stage presence and she played Snoopy. Melanie died when we were 17. Listening to the musical last night reminded me of that time in my life, especially listening to Melanie practice Snoopy's songs. It's a very sweet show, especially the closing number "Happiness". 

"Happiness is anyone, and anything at all, that's loved by you."

So true.