Mr. Rogers

1.27.2003

My kids know that if “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” is on, I will stop whatever I’m doing to watch it. I will come running from the other room.

“Oh, I hope this is the one where he takes us to the crayon factory.”

Watching Mr. Rogers for a long time is like playing with flowers. “I loved him. I loved him not. I loved him. I loved him not. I had children and put him in my pocket, like Zuzu’s petals.”

Now a new sadness has come. My youngest has decided she doesn’t like Mr. Rogers anymore. Ouch. Hurt me. No more trips to the crayon factory with a little girl in my lap.

I have not dealt with this grief. I’ve been bribing her with Popsicles, trying to get a few more episodes under my belt before starting the long wait for grandkids. It's just not as good without a child in your lap.

Can you believe this guy has been on TV long enough for us to grow up, leave, and come back home with children of our own?

And all that time he just kept doing his thing. You know, with the sweaters and the shoes and the silly songs. Will he never tire of feeding those fish?

When cardigans went out of style, did Mr. Rogers quit wearing them? Nope. They’re back in style now, aren’t they? Or are they out again? I can’t keep up. When Muppets became all the rage, did he trade in his little old-fashioned puppets? Of course not, he’s Mr. Rogers.

He is above and beyond such trends. He lives in some other world, a world of careful integrity and committed purpose. That’s why I still come running when I hear his show. I want to catch a glimpse of him in that world.

In 1997, at the Daytime Emmy awards, Mr. Rogers was honored for the achievements of his lifetime. Other winners got up and gave the typical acceptance speeches. Mr. Rogers said, “I’d like us all to take 10 seconds in silence to remember the people who helped us become who we are.”

Did they laugh? Did they roll their eyes? Hell no they didn’t. The Hollywood big shots fell silent and bowed their heads like children praying in nursery school.

“Take off your hat, fool. That’s Mr. Rogers.”

Integrity combined with faithfulness is a powerful force and worthy of great respect.

I’d like to follow his lead and find a simple goodness to practice faithfully over the next few decades, ignoring our changing culture because I stand above it.

I’d like to do that, but the truth is I would pick the wrong thing and compound my error by not stopping. My ethic would be shortsighted and my commitment would be more of an obsession.

Perhaps it is beyond our sight to know classic goodness before it bears a patina.

I don’t know, but you should take a good look at Mr. Rogers before he dies. You won’t see someone like him often in your life.

The Preacher

© Copyright 2005 Preacher. Last update: 7/17/2005; 8:21:04 PM. Links