What can I say in times like this, when children are being murdered in their schools, and teachers are giving their lives to protect their students? What can I say that hasn’t already been said? As a Canadian, my mind boggles at it all. I live in a nation where the right of the many to live outweighs the rights of a few to collect deadly weapons. I’m always proud to be Canadian, but sometimes I’m reminded of just how very, very lucky I am to live in a country that still has its glaring flaws, inequalities and injustices, but which on the whole tries to be a welcoming, safe place for all people.
And so, as we cap off another heartbreaking week, I offer you the words of a man who honestly believed in spreading love everywhere he went.
It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood
A beautiful day for a neighbor
Could you be mine?
Would you be mine?
It’s a neighborly day in this beauty wood
A neighborly day for a beauty
Could you be mine?
Would you be mine?
I have always wanted to have a neighbor just like you
I’ve always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you
Let’s make the most of this beautiful day
Since we’re together, might as well say
Would you be my, could you be my
Won’t you be my neighbor?
Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood
It makes me sad to see this, Jane, and hear that sweet song. My children grew up with Mr. Rogers. I think he helped make them caring people. Thanks, Jane, a very rough time here in the U.S.
I grew up with him as well, and I will always remember the gentleness of his program, and its message to always be as kind as you can, as often as you can.
I’m happy to be your neighbor, Jane! Even if our neighborhood is pretty darn large.
Mr. Rogers was such a dear man. (You heard that Tom Hanks will be playing him in an upcoming biopic? Looking forward to seeing it.)
He comforts me. Thank you, Jane.
You’re very welcome. He was a good man, in the truest sense of the word.
I’ve always loved this quote from Fred Rogers. ““When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
Yes, one of my favourites, too. There is always hope, no matter how dark things may get, and I stubbornly believe that there are far, far, far more good people than there could ever be “bad”.
It’s mind boggling, isn’t it, that our country has had so much tragedy and STILL we can’t get the gun situation under control?!?!
Thank you, Jane. I just watched Emma Gonzalez’s speech….just five minutes of it on twitter….we have so many neighbors who are wonderful, good people. I know that the young people of Parkland FL are not only good neighbors….but also now helpers we can look to.
Mr. Rogers brings a welcome message this week. Thank you for being a good neighbor to us all. Maybe one day, we can get past our divisions in our country and work together to find solutions rather than trying to “win” an argument that leaves too many dead needlessly.
This is a breath of fresh air in all this chaos, thank you for it. I too used to watch Mr. Rogers at times with my Children–so much tenderness there, caring, and consideration of others.
Thank you, Jane. Here’s a Fred Rogers quote that we need today, “Knowing that we can be loved exactly as we are gives us all the best opportunity for growing into the healthiest of people.”
How I miss that man! Thanks for the trip down memory lane, Jane. At least it’s a comfort to know we can rely on all the neighbors in our Poetry Friday neighborhood.
I needed to hear Mr. Rogers again. Thanks so much, Jane!
Thank you. Mr. Rogers to the rescue. Thank goodness for this community.
My family was so different from Mr. Roger’s world that I remember watching him as a kid and thinking that only on TV could there be a world so sweet and pure. I’m still looking for that world in books because the news seems to celebrate another world entirely.