March happens to be the birthday month of America’s “Good Neighbor”. Of course, I’m talking about Fred Rogers, better known as Mr. Rogers of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. 

He was born on March 20, 1928 in Latrobe, PA about 40 miles from Pittsburgh. He died Feb 27, 2003 from stomach cancer. America, maybe even the world itself, has missed his presence ever since. 

I remember my brother and I watching Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood every day on our local PBS channel, near Grand Rapids, MI. This was waaaaaay back in the 1970’s. Yes, I just dated myself!

I remember being drawn to his gentle and affirming approach. It resonated with me as a child. Especially, when my own household growing up was not so calm and affirming. Mr. Rogers told me, “You are special by just your being you”.

I was also fascinated with the Land of Make-Believe and remember that Mr. Rogers had little replicas of King Friday’s castle, Daniel Tiger’s clock, and X the Owl and Henrietta  Pussy Cat’s treehouse. My favorite was the cute little trolley. I wanted to have toys like those replicas so I could play the “Land of Make-Believe”!

As an adult, Mr. Rogers’ work and words are even more meaningful to me. As I look at the conflict I see everywhere, here in our own community, in our own county, and around the world, the message Fred Rogers spent the better part of his life communicating is an important and vital one.

Compassion, kindness, acceptance of each others’ differences, helping each other, just being a good neighbor. Recognizing that everyone is essentially our neighbor.

The message that humanity will thrive only as we work together to build a better world that works for all of us. That we must learn to “steer the ship” together or we won’t survive the current “storms” we are facing globally, nationally, and in our communities. We are so interconnected with each other that we will sail together or sink together. It’s up to us to decide which it will be.

The good news is that every little action of kindness, compassion, generosity we do does make a difference. All those lovely acts of kindness and goodwill add up. They help create that more beautiful world we all desire to live in.

Where everyone is special just the way they are. Just as Mr. Rogers told us over and over again.

Click a picture to place a book on hold.