Pollyanna Rainbow Sunshine and the Needles of Doom

Lyda here.

It’s Fred Rogers’ birthday. Check out Ann’s post for a good overview. Also check out Kelly’s post; it makes me smile.

I love Mr. Rogers. When my son was born, we watched Mr. Rogers every day. I wanted my son to experience that unconditional love and acceptance from the beginning of his life. he grew up with Mr. Rogers.

What I found as I watched, was that Mr. Rogers was speaking to me too. He was speaking to the young child inside me, the little girl who needed reassurance and acceptance and love. Watching Mr. Rogers healed me, healed wounds I didn’t even know I had.

Fred Rogers was as gentle and loving as a person as he is on the show. He spent his life doing what he loved. He followed his bliss, and because he did, the world is a better place.

The best thing is that he is still with us. PBS still shows “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” every day. Mr. Rogers is still telling kids that they are okay just as they are.

Thank you, Mr. Rogers. Here’s to a billion more beautiful days in the Neighborhood.

“I’m Proud of You”

Commencement Address by Fred Rogers, Goucher College, 1993

I’m proud of you for the times you’ve said “yes” when all it meant was extra work for you and seemingly helpful to only somebody else.

I’m proud of you for the times you’ve said “no” when all it seemed to mean was a loss of pleasure yet eventually supported the growth of somebody else and yourself.

I’m proud of you for the times you came in second, or third, or fourth, but what you did was the best you had ever done.

I’m proud of you for standing for something you believed in-something that wasn’t particularly popular but something which assured the rights of someone less fortunate than you.

I’m proud of you for anything you can think of that allows you to feel proud of yourself.

© Fred M. Rogers