“Love is at the root of everything–all learning, all parenting, all relationships. Love or the lack of it. And what we see and hear on the screen is part of who we become.” – Fred Rogers

“Won’t You Be My Neighbor” from Focus Features, directed by Morgan Neville, came out in the Summer of 2018, and was nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Documentary category. I finally got around to seeing the film this weekend and was again transported back into an earlier time, to my childhood, watching Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, as a five or six-year-old.

I can remember watching it, feeling like Mr. Rogers was speaking directly to me. I can remember feeling something different when I watched his show on PBS. Like the show, the documentary was deep and emotionally impacting. There were moments when you can see a very compassionate and self-aware person who puts himself on display in complete vulnerability in order to speak to children.

What’s sad in our society is how we look down on children, somehow imagining their feelings and what they want to say or express as less important than our feelings or understanding. While it may be true that the brain is not fully-developed until our mid-twenties, to say that any human being, no matter their age, is less important than any other person has serious moral and ethical implications.

The beautiful thing that Fred Rogers brought to those children, some who faithfully watched his programming for years into their adulthood, was the importance that each person inherently had, a special goodness endowed by God. As an ordained Presbyterian minister, Mr. Rogers would have likely said that each person was created in the image of God, and therefore has inherent worth. They are special just the way they are because that is how God created them.

The film highlighted some of the greatest shows and memories throughout the 33 consecutive seasons the show aired on PBS. The show taped 1675 episodes in the 33 years on the air tackling issues such as death, racism, violence, war, anger, divorce, and many other “scary” themes that children might face in their lives in this day and age.

The greatest thing that we can do is to help somebody know that they’re loved and capable of loving. -Fred Rogers

Besides the film, Maxwell King wrote a book called, “The Good Neighbor,” which I read and also recommend if you want to learn more about Fred Rogers, his life and his impact on society. The book adds even more details and information to get a clear understanding about who he was, what those closest to him saw, and what he was really all about as a children’s advocate and champion for issues pertaining to the needs of children in our world.

The film closes with some brief moments for cast members, crew, Mr. Rogers surviving friends and family to reflect on those that made an impact in their life, molding them into who they are today. It was a good question one that bears sharing here for each of you to take a moment to reflect. Who is someone in your life that has loved you, cared about you and encouraged you throughout your life when you needed it the most?

From the time you were very little, you’ve had people who have smiled you into smiling, people who have talked you into talking, sung you into singing, loved you into loving. So, on this extra special day, let’s take some time to think of those extra special people. Some of them may be right here, some may be far away. Some may even be in heaven. No matter where they are, deep down you know they’ve always wanted what was best for you. They’ve always cared about you beyond measure and have encouraged you to be true to the best within you. Let’s just take a minute of silence to think about those people now. -Fred Rogers

– Jason

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