Guests on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood were often surprised to find that although Rogers was just as gentle and patient in life as on television, he was nevertheless a perfectionist who did not allow “shoddy” ad-libbing;[29] he believed that children were thoughtful people who deserved programming as good as anything produced for adults on television. (Wikipedia)
“Hello Neighbor” Anyone at least 5o remembers those words. Everyday started with Captain Kangaroo, then Sesame Street, and then Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. That little tune on the piano opened up a world of make believe. A land full of learning social things, friendship, differences, hurts and understanding why we “feel” the way we do. My little guy is almost 18 months and with all the useless mind numbing things available to stream, this show was a far cry from all the other stuff out there.
The first episode started the year before I was born. It was black and white and rudimentary in it’s production. Didn’t matter. That same quiet and trustworthy demeanor was there from the first episode till the last. The first time I turned the show on, my son stopped in his tracks, sat, and watched 10 minutes of it! He loves the puppets! King Friday, Queen Sarah Saturday, Henrietta, Owl, but Lady Elaine Fairchild still is creepy to me! LOL! The characters of Mr. Negri, Lady Aberlin and Mr. McFeeley were all friends of Mr. Rodgers and they all were just as kind and caring as Mr Rodgers himself. They showed how just by being yourself you could make a difference in anyones life.
With all the things going on in our world, its nice to see Mr. Rodgers and his message being introduced again. We could all use a little refresher on kindness and compassion nowadays.
I never realized all the talent this man had. His show was his direct connection with God. It was his ministry. He hated television, but new he could use it to reach children and share God’s message of love, compassion and understanding. He was an ordained minister and child psychologist, as well as an accomplished song writer and musician. He wrote lyrics and music for almost every song on his shows. He was also responsible for almost all the puppeteering and the puppet voices in the Land of Make Believe! He tooled each show specifically to answer the millions of questions children will ask. I hope I can learn a little from him as well. We all should be lucky to have a neighbor like Mr. Rodgers.
It’s you I like,
It’s not the things you wear,
It’s not the way you do your hair
But it’s you I like
The way you are right now,
The way down deep inside you
Not the things that hide you,
Not your toys
They’re just beside you.
But it’s you I like
Every part of you.
Your skin, your eyes, your feelings
Whether old or new.
I hope that you’ll remember
Even when you’re feeling blue
That it’s you I like,
It’s you yourself
It’s you.
It’s you I like.
-Fred Rogers .1972