My Superhero - Mr Rogers
Mr Rogers, a superhero with wisdom
Superheros are strong. They fly in to distressing situations and save good people from disaster. In comic books they are strong on the outside - maybe they have a sword or some other sort of weapon to do their work.
Mr Rogers was a little different. He did not look like a superhero on the outside, but he flew into many distressing situations to help people, especially kids, to recover and grow into new understandings of life. He was strong on the inside, and didn't need a sword, because he was wise. His gentleness was his strength. On this page you will find some of the deep wisdom of Mr. Rogers.
photo credit: Pennsylvania Center for the Book
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A Book of Wisdom from Mr Rogers
For Mr Rogers, beginnings and endings were very important
When a family has to move to a new neighborhood, the end of their time in that house is making them hurt. But there is also a new beginning that will come, when they move into their new house. There will be new friends, a new school, and many new possibilities. Mr Rogers talked about this a lot.
Mr. Rogers said,
"Often when you think you're at the end of something, you're at the beginning of something else."
We can't see the future, but it is easy for people to assume it won't be good, because they can't imagine the good things that might happen to them. Mr Rogers liked to encourage a more optimistic attitude so we could move into the future with a positive attitude.
About friendship - (Mr Rogers with Mr McFeely, the postman)
Always talking about friends and friendship, Mr Rogers encouraged children to learn how to be a good friend. I can remember hearing him give a talk about how children could fight one day and be best friends again the next day. Part of learning how to be a friend is learning to how to work things out after a disagreement and become even stronger friends.
Mr Rogers said,
"One of life's greatest joys is the comfortable give and take of a good friendship. It's a wonderful feeling not only to have a friend, but to know how to be a friend yourself."
Who were the heros for Mr Rogers?
Mr. Rogers knew what was needed in the world. Deep love and attention to a wider circle of people that the ones in our family, school and work. Attention, respect, and care for everyone he met was his way of life. But those people who worked to help children, they were the real heroes.
Mr. Rogers said,
"We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It's easy to say "It's not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem." Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes."
He also said,
When I was a boy I used to think that strong meant having big muscles, great physical power, but the longer I live, the more I realize that real strength has much more to do with what is not seen. Real strength has to do with helping others."
The star is Mr Rogers own star at the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was indeed a star.
(photo elynmac)
Who are the heros? - Mr Rogers answers
Wisdom in times of disaster
The full quote is:
"When I was a boy...my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' To this day, especially in times of 'disaster,' I remember my mother's words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers - so many caring people in this world."
It is not surprising that people turned to Mr Rogers looking for wisdom after recent disasters. It is so easy to get scrambled when you have a catastrophe or disaster. Mr Rogers is no longer with us, but he had left us with beautiful advice from one of his programs. When disasters happen, people remember what he said and gain comfort and solace.
This is shockingly true - wherever there is disaster, you will find people running in to help. Thank you, Mr. Rogers, and a special thank you to your Mom, for showing us this.
Sketch by elynmac
On doing the best we can do
Mr Rogers was kind to everyone, and we can also be kind to ourselves
This quote is a wonderful reminder that we can do our best, but we shouldn't be hard on ourselves if things don't work out. Doing the best we can is already excellent, no matter how well we do in a competition. Rejoice!
Mr Rogers said,
"Some days, doing 'the best we can' may still fall short of what we would like to be able to do, but life isn't perfect - on any front - and doing what we can with what we have is the most we should expect of ourselves or anyone else."
He also said,
"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."
Mr Rogers on "What is Success?"
"There are three ways to ultimate success:
The first way is to be kind.
The second way is to be kind.
The third way is to be kind."
"The thing I remember best about successful people I've met all through the years is their obvious delight in what they're doing and it seems to have very little to do with worldly success. They just love what they're doing, and they love it in front of others."
On the importance of being YOU
It is not an easy thing to imagine that we are important to the people we meet. Sometimes a person tells me something that I said to them years ago that was just what they needed to hear. I think - "What? I don't remember that at all!" But it happened, and it was meaningful to them.
So many things happen in a day, and we forget so many of them as we sleep. But if our smile was important for one person we met along the way, we have done a wonderful thing.
Mr Rogers said,
"If only you could sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person."
You are special
and liked for who you are - for being you.
We do get a lot of messages from society, especially from advertising, that we are missing something, lacking something, that something is wrong with us, that we are too this or not enough of that.
What did Mr Rogers say?
You are my friend
You are special
You are my friend
You're special to me.
You are the only one like you.
Like you, my friend, I like you.
In the daytime
In the nighttime
Any time that you feel's the right time
For a friendship with me, you see
F-R-I-E-N-D special
You are my friend
You're special to me.
There's only one in this wonderful world
You are special.
You are special because there is only one person like you. And you are okay just the way you are. This is such an encouraging message for all of us.
The "You are Special" song
Mr Rogers Advice for Parents
More from Mr. Rogers
- PBSKids.org site, where you can find all of Mr Rogers videos
- Early Learning Environment Program at the Fred Rogers Center
Ele is a web-based support system in early language literacy and media literacy for underserved and under-resourced teachers, home-based providers, and families of children birth to age 5. - Get apps designed especially for kids by the Fred Rogers Center staff
Check these out! - A beautiful profile of Mr Rogers from Esquire Magazine
Did you know that Mr Rogers prayed for people he met? - His love and regard were there through both good and bad times
Mr Rogers would get up very early in the morning so he could pray for people. And he prayed for many. One of the best stories I have read about his kindness to people he met, no matter who they were, no matter where they lived, is a story from a journalist who met Mr. Rogers and stayed in touch. The journalist credits him with saving his marriage.
Perhaps you know someone whose marriage is in trouble? They might like to read this story about Mr. Rogers and his letters to the journalist who thought he would have to get divorced.
'Mister Rogers Saved My Marriage'
TV's Fred Rogers prayed for me during a difficult time. And his prayers were effective.
sketch by elynmac
Fred Rogers books for children
Mr Rogers wrote a set of photographic picture books for parents to use when their child had a first experience of going to daycare, or going on an airplane, and other "first experience" topics. They are very simple, but very clear. Lots of wisdom here.
Mr Rogers Legacy
This story happened a number of years ago, but it is as beautiful as ever
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Has Mr. Rogers changed the world? I know he has. For one thing, he spoke to kids directly, eyes big and wide looking right at the camera. For another thing, he dealt fearlessly with topics that most people would rather avoid. In doing so, he provided a good role model for parents. One of the subjects he wrote a book about was death.
This is a story that is on the internet that shows Mr Rogers legacy coming to us on angel's wings.
The story goes like this:
A family had a dog named Abbey who passed away, and M, the 4 year old daughter in the family was unconsolable. She came up with the idea that perhaps she could write God a letter to make things easier for Abbey when she arrived in heaven to be with God. It was a very sweet impulse.
M's Mom was very sensitive, and agreed. This is the letter that was dictated:
"Dear God,
Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her. She likes to swim and play with balls. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her you will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, M
The letter was put in an envelope and addressed to God in Heaven, with the return address written in the corner of the envelope. I thought that was one of the smartest things that happened in this story. M wanted to make sure that God would know which of all the dogs her beloved Abbey was, so they put in a photo and added a lot of stamps to the front so it would have enough postage to get all the way to heaven.
I suppose the family was not really expecting a reply, but in a few days a special package arrived at their house. It was covered in gold paper, and caused quite a stir. When M opened it, there was Mr. Rogers book, "When A Pet Dies," with the photo and her letter taped to the book. There was also a letter that told M that the dog was in heaven with God, and was not only there, but also in M's heart. It went on to say:
"Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.
Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I'm easy to find. I am wherever there is love.
Love, God"
After thinking about this story, I was touched how all three of the people involved were "heroes" in Mr Roger's eyes. The child was a hero for expressing her deepest feelings. The mother was a hero for talking to her daughter with such sensitivity and kindness, and whoever got the letter, and answered it with the book and "letter from God," was an amazing human being who knew exactly how to relate to a child like M. Isn't it a beautiful story? The World is full of helpers and heroes.
The book that arrived in the golden box for Meredith
See Mr. Rogers visit to the Crayon Factory - It is on the Fred Rogers Center site
Mr Rogers always liked to show kids how things were made, and how they came into being. He visited places like the crayon factory, the graham cracker factory, an emergency room at a hospital and a recycling center. He also went overseas to Russia, so kids could see what it was like on the other side of the world.
If you click this link you will go to a very clear presentation of Mr. Rogers' visit to the crayon factory. I checked on youtube, and the videos were all poor copies. This one comes from the Fred Rogers Center, is original and you can see everything quite clearly. But it can't be embedded into this page, so you will have to go to the link. I know you will enjoy it. Just click here:
