Happy Birthday To Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood
March 20 is an incredibly important day in our history. It is the day Fred Rogers, host of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, was born.
March 20 is most known for John and Yoko’s wedding in 1969, according to udiscovermusic.com. Or, as the day we invaded Iraq in 2003, the Council on Foreign Relations states. But to me, it’s the day my childhood was born. No, March 20 is not my birthday, too. Just Fred Rogers’. But without Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, I would have had a very different childhood.
In fact, I may not be as well-adjusted as I am. Or is it dysfunctional? Well whatever it is, I grew up in Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. And it had a big impact on my life.
Mister Rogers Neighborhood And Other Characters Of My Upbringing
My childhood is filled with so many memories that have affected me. And not always in a good way. Let’s take Big Bird for example. Because of that yellow giant, I still struggle with incredibly tall, goofy people. They freak me out a bit. Wile E. Coyote? If I’m dating someone who is clingy and can’t give space, I’m out. And I secretly wish for an Acme safe to drop on that person’s head. Bert and Ernie? Well, thanks to those two, I can’t run from codependency fast enough.
But Mister Rogers. Well, he had the ultimate impact on my life. In the best way.
Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Fred Rogers was an American television personality, producer, and Presbyterian minister. His show aired on PBS from 1968 to 2001 (mrrogers.org). Mister Rogers focused on self-esteem, friendship, and making sure you change your clothes as soon as you walk into the house.
He would open his show by singing “won’t you be my neighbor.” And then he would take us to the land of some pretty disturbing . . .I mean fun… puppets. Like King Henry, Daniel Tiger and Lady Elaine Fairchilde. The latter of which scared the hell out of me, btw.
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Mister Rogers was incredibly creative when it came to his art, but he was also meticulous when it came to his private life. According to MentalfFloss.com, Mister “it’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood” weighed himself every day. And managed to always stay at 143 pounds.
Why that number exactly? Well, according to Mental Floss, Rogers was quoted as saying “It takes one letter to say I and four letters to say love and three letters to say you. One hundred and forty-three.” I’d say he’s my hero, but what I’m really saying is that I’m jealous. I would love if my scale was as nice to me as his was. But my scale is as kind to me as a plate of tacos with extra hot sauce being served at the digital content meeting.
Fred Rogers received a ton of awards and was known for his advocacy for public broadcasting, being a champion of children’s education, and most important, teaching me to take off my shoes when I walk into the house.
So, shoutout and happy birthday to the only guy in the world who can rock a cashmere sweater, sing sweet songs about being friends but also scare the crap out of me with creepy puppets.
