I realize I already blogged today, but I couldn’t help sending this as well…
If you were fortunate enough to enjoy the Mister Rogers era as I did, you might take a moment to remember that wonderful man. Today would be his 80th birthday. He would walk down the little steps while singing “Won’t you be my neighbor?” He would remove his jacket and put on the cardigan, remove his shoes and put on sneakers, and get comfy in his home. He fed his fish. He accepted his mail from “Speedy Delivery,” he cooked with the chef that always said, “shh, shh.” He welcomed the trolley that would take us all to the Neighborhood of Make Believe, where there were puppets: King Friday XIII, Queen Sara Saturday and Prince Tuesday, X the Owl, Daniel Tiger Henrietta Pussycat, Lady Elaine Fairchilde, as well as real people who interacted with the puppets. It was relaxing and simple, which I argue was a good thing. It was a time to just feel good about oneself and learn about sharing, patience, cooperation, persistence, self-control. Now, of course, children can go online to Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood on http://pbskids.org/rogers/ to play games and hear songs. It’s not the same. There is also a section for parents and teachers to serve as ambassadors to his wonderful philosophies and messages. It’s not the same, although a good second place.
If you were fortunate enough to enjoy the Mister Rogers era as I did, you might take a moment to remember that wonderful man. Today would be his 80th birthday. He would walk down the little steps while singing “Won’t you be my neighbor?” He would remove his jacket and put on the cardigan, remove his shoes and put on sneakers, and get comfy in his home. He fed his fish. He accepted his mail from “Speedy Delivery,” he cooked with the chef that always said, “shh, shh.” He welcomed the trolley that would take us all to the Neighborhood of Make Believe, where there were puppets: King Friday XIII, Queen Sara Saturday and Prince Tuesday, X the Owl, Daniel Tiger Henrietta Pussycat, Lady Elaine Fairchilde, as well as real people who interacted with the puppets. It was relaxing and simple, which I argue was a good thing. It was a time to just feel good about oneself and learn about sharing, patience, cooperation, persistence, self-control. Now, of course, children can go online to Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood on http://pbskids.org/rogers/ to play games and hear songs. It’s not the same. There is also a section for parents and teachers to serve as ambassadors to his wonderful philosophies and messages. It’s not the same, although a good second place.
My point? Mister Rogers, you were one in a million. Thank you for being you. You are special. Happy birthday.
2 comments:
Nice sentiment. Think there is some Dartmouth connection with Fred. Perhaps an adopted member of a class?
Steve Whiteley
Dartmouth '82
Hi Steve,
Thank you for the great reminder. Mister Rogers studied at Dartmouth between 1946 and 1948 before transferring to Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. He received a BA in music composition there in 1951.
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