Mister Fred Rogers

Mr. Rogers, In Some of His Own Words

Fred, With Some of His Littlest Neighbors

Fred, Off-Camera

Thirteen years ago today, Fred Rogers– one of the brightest beacons of our time- unexpectedly ascended.

I recall casually strolling home from a songwriting session at Nina’s Coffee Cafe, only to discover the New York Times announcing this unwelcome news on our dining room table.  Heartbroken, I surveyed the headline to make sure I’d read it right…  And very unfortunately, I had.

Shocked, I stared out of the window of 589 Laurel Avenue- a house in historic St. Paul that I shared with beautician Sandra Albert, author Von Braschler and actor Dan Fuller- swallowed the lump in my throat, then mustered up the courage to read the obituary of my television Dad.

A tsunami of tears hit.

I fumbled for the phone to call my Mother, but couldn’t see clearly enough to finish dialing; on second try, I hung up after the first ring.  I took a deep breath, then slowly pressed the numbers again.  By the time she answered, I was sobbing unintelligibly.  For so many of us Gen-X/Y-ers dealing with divorce and/or Fatherlessness in our families, Mister Rogers was our part-time Pop, Uncle or Gramps.  For others, he was a mentor, friend, tour guide, self-esteem coach, or if nothing else, that familiar, calming, smiling face between channels.

After a heart-to-heart with my Mom, I finished reading his obituary, then dragged myself upstairs to the privacy of my bedroom.  And so, just one block away from where F. Scott Fitzgerald was born screaming into the world, I dug out what childhood toys I had left, surrounded myself with them and cried myself to sleep.

___________

Of all the bigger pieces I’ve read about Fred, this 1998 Esquire Magazine  cover story by Tom Junod is one of the most touching:
esquire.com/entertainment/tv/interviews/a27134/can-you-say-hero-esq1198.

I also cherish this recently republished New York Daily News article from 1973:
www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/mister-rogers-focuses-children-feelings-article-1.2542259.

Reading this amazing coverage of his funeral also helped make peace with it.  Rainbows, hearts and coloring pencils couldn’t have been more appropriate, and who hasn’t admired Yo-Yo Ma at some point:  http://old.post-gazette.com/localnews/20030504rogers0504p1.asp.

Tonight, I hope that you’ll take a moment to remember Fred with me, to reflect on all of the helpful things he taught us, and to re-visit an important episode.  In our adult lives where everything moves at light speed, this is especially pertinent:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8eEHV-b6WM.

Finally, I’d like to spread some good news: Fred is still very much with us in the countless lives he touched.  I know so because when I wear my Mister Rogers socks, random strangers frequently wind up neighbors.

Thank you again Fred, and boundless gratitude to your family, staff and to everyone at PBS.

With Much Love,
Brooke

Two of my favorite men in the world, who are featured in our final chapter,
50 Magnanimous Men.