Who's gonna win the award today?
I'm sitting here with tears running down my cheeks. Thank you so much for that story. I am so glad there was a Mr Rogers in your life when you needed him.
Such bittersweet memories R. May you be blessed beyond measure today and in the days ahead. Consider yourself hugged.
What a great post about Mr. Rogers. I was the oldest of 3... so, I remember watching Mr. Rogers for a long time. He is greatly missed.
That was really, really nice and touching tribute.
Tears over here, too.
Thanks for writing about him - he's a reminder of how important the imagination is for kids.
He was the guy I always wanted to be my dad; looked like him, too.
I think you should send that story to Chicken Soup for the Soul.
It was very beautiful and very well written. Your husband sounds wonderful.
Wow... Iwasn't really thinking I would go to your site and see such truth pouring from you today. It gives one hope that there are those who actualy take time to understand the world about them and what can be garnered from the experiences we endure.
Thank you for sharing this private moment with us.
Seeker
Awesome. That is one of the best posts I've read. And there are a lot of wonderful writers out there. It takes a lot to move me to tears.
I met Mr. Rogers when I was in elementary school for a biography project I was doing with a friend for the Pinnacle program.
I had read that he was color blind in doing research, and being so young that's all I could think about when meeting him. I thought being color blind must be something awful, but he was wonderful.
I agree that this should be published. The Chicken Soup books do seem a perfect fit.
I too was deeply moved by your touching tribute. It was eloquent, well-written and heartfelt. Thank you for bringing a little light into my day. A post like this is why I read blogs.
I used to watch Mr. Rogers when I was a teenager. My kids watched him when they were small and my youngest son watched him long after his friends quit watching. I still enjoy watching the show. I was moved by your tribute.
very beautiful... i got to watch him... for a few years... i sometimes caught myself... saying... "won't you be my neighbour"....
That was a beautiful post R, I just wanted to give little you a hug. I'm so glad you could find something to hold onto in such a hard time.
"Fred Rogers soothed my soul." So true. He just radiated peace and calm. I watched him throughout my childhood as well. Thank God for reruns, huh? There's no one out there like him today.
Wow...I don't have much more to say, except that I completely know that feeling of dread waiting for your father to come home--only I was the older one. I think that maybe this is why I ultimately chose writing--any make believe was better than the reality. You are very brave and courageous to share this with others. My blog has only been about entertainment so far because I have difficulty expressing my bitterness and anger without sounding like a whiner and psycho. That and too many people I know personally (in real life read me). Keep writing. I'm proud of you.
Beautiful story, and a lovely tribute to a lovely man. What Mr. Rogers was to you, Captain Kangaroo was to me! I'm sending you a hug, too.
Touching story. It makes me wish that we had a Mr Rogers this side of the world.
Thank you everyone for your kind comments. That was a tough post to write, and I wrestled with publishing it because it divulges some truths that I don't often voice or face. It has been a lifelong goal to "hide" all of it, but based on the response I have had here to telling the truth, perhaps I will start allowing the people in my "real" life in on the story. Clearly, I underestimate the compassion in others, and you all have given me newfound confidence. Thank you.
Oh, and by the way...a big "HUZZAH!" to your hubby for being "da man" He's a keeper.
I can't remember the last time a blog post made me cry, but this one made my eyes fill with tears. I love Mr. Rogers, too. My brother did his best to discourage me, by ridiculing him, so I had to hide it. But, even now when I happen to see re-runs, I feel the way you did...safe and like I'm coming home.
I can't tell you how wonderful this made me feel. Fred Rogers was the neighbor of an acquaintance of mine and she never failed to praise what an honest, genuine, loving man he was. We could use more Fred Rogers in the world.
Love Fred. He just made ya feel good.
I've seen this post sitting here for a while now, but I finally read it today. What can I say - I'm lazy.
One thing parenthood teaches us (or, at least, should teach us) is to live and die with our children. Being a father, it absolutely breaks my heart to read about a kid having to endure an environment like that - the fear they constantly feel, the need to develop survival instincts for their own home - it just wounds you.
You've certainly elevated Mr. Rogers' stauture in my book.
That was beautiful! You should bri8ng that out every couple of weeks!
My friend Angel is a nurse in Pittsburgh. Before Mr. Rogers died, she met him at the hospital where she worked. She was pregnant at the time and he touched her belly. I think she almost fainted.
Pink Floyd Rules, I just recently seen the laser light show!
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