An Ode to Mr. Rogers
“Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”
This is Mr. Rogers’ world, and we are just living in it. Even after his death, Rev. Fred Rogers continues to be celebrated. Sadly, I have to admit that even as a child, I was not a fan. I loved Sesame Street, and as I got a little older, other shows, with more fantasy and adventure, took center stage. In the process, I missed out on the wisdom and depth of Mr. Rogers.
Like so many others, I spent most of my life looking down on Mr. Rogers as simplistic. I enjoyed Eddie Murphy’s Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood because it was edgy, the opposite of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. What I didn’t know then, and am only appreciating now, is how hard it is to be Mr. Rogers: kind, compassionate, and sensitive. Kind, compassionate, and sensitive is infinitely harder to accomplish than edgy, because edgy doesn’t require a relationship.
Because Mr. Rogers had integrity, he quickly formed relationships. These relationships included children from around the world who felt his kindness, compassion, and sensitivity. But his relationships were deeper than just over the airways. He had meaningful pastoral relationships and friendships, including the person who wrote the wildly popular motion picture about him.
Today, consider the popular, edgy people you’ve known in your life. Then, think of the kind, compassionate, and sensitive people in and out of your life. If your experience is anything like mine, you understand that caring is a tougher business, with fewer accolades. Caring requires a lot more time, empathy, and focus. Finally, we can learn from Mr. Rogers that a full, respected, and meaningful life comes from the hard and joyous work of being a Mr. Rogers kind of person. Come, spend time in Mr. Rogers’ neighborhood.
