Saving Mister Rogers
I’m blessed and lucky for my brief but meaningful time with Mister Rogers, and the wheels those few moments set in motion.
When I need a dose of calm, or insight on managing my anger, sadness, or fear in the face of this crazy, crazy world, I don’t have to go anywhere or do anything. I just pause, and I hear him in my head.
What’s more, he’s rarely out of eyeshot. At my office, a photo of us in the living room of his Crooked House rests on a shelf above my desk, and a postcard reading, “I’m so glad we’re friends” is tacked to my bulletin board. At home, I’ve framed the very first photo he sent me, one that reads, “For my real ACK neighbor!” Another postcard (this one reading “You make each day a special day by just your being you!”) is on the refrigerator.
When the news broke a few weeks ago that PBS told member stations it would send them just one weekly episode of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” instead of one daily, I’ll be honest: I was sad, but not terribly surprised.
Please visit “Making ‘Mister Rogers & Me’” for the rest of this blog post.
August 6th, 2008 at 2:41 am
Benjamin:
I have a friend whose life was also deeply touched by Fred Rogers. Holly was the only child of Folk music legend Glenn Yarbrough. When she was growing up, Mister Rogers was a kind and encouraging friend. now in her 30′s, Holly has recorded a sweet tribute to Fred Rogers… 16 of his songs in jazz form … one of the last sessions by Boots Randolph as well. Holly did what she set out to do but is not much of a self-promoter. Rather, she works for hospice and is seeking a degree in music therapy. The CDs have been piled in her extra bathtub for a year! I’d love to send you one. Please contact me. Claire (Nashville)