Over the past year I’ve noticed Fred Rogers returning: two documentaries in 2018 and an up & coming movie.

Why? On its face, I suppose it’s due to the anniversary of his program’s debut. But I’d like to think there are deeper reasons.

These are uniquely nasty times. We have folks making offensive statements, not to compel thought, but simply to hurt.

We have Internet trolls who strive only to divide

Political opinions have become grounds for ending friendships

The art of discussion and civil debate is all but lost.

The media has become a rabid murderous dog, pouncing upon everything that could be prey, even before finishing the last kill.

In the Dad forums I follow, I am bombarded with a steady stream of men who are bitter, lonely and angry, some nearing the point of suicide.

It would seem, in the face of everything listed that this might be the beginning of the end of human interaction, of human relationships. It would seem that the art of being human is becoming lost.

It would seem our society is imploding and is doomed to collapse into a dust cloud of distrust and hatred.

And yet, amidst this perpetual storm of cruelty, two documentaries about Fred Rogers have been released over the past year. A program called Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, which is a continuation of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, is considered one of the top children’s programs these days.

Why is he making his return?

While the terrible things I mentioned do exist, I do not think they define the reality of the world. I think we’re all turning to Mr. Rogers to remind us of that.

I am an optimist. In my heart I truly believe that people are inherently good. I have mentioned this before, Love outscores hate. This has been the case since the beginning of mankind. The newborn human is one of the most helpless babies in the world. A human baby will literally whither and die without care, without nurturing, without Love.

This means that every human being who has made it past infancy is literally a symbol of Love.

The world’s population is growing. More people are being Loved into life than being hated out of life. Despite this reality, I still see many news stories about death and murder.

In a world where it appears the media is frantically trying to find this week’s villain, the population is quietly seeking out a man who dedicated his life to finding this week’s hero.

Fred Rogers was all about finding the good in a person. “Always look for the helpers, there is always someone who is trying to help.”

Sure, it might be the anniversary of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood but, I cannot recall a time in my life where nearly every subject possible can be twisted into a means towards divisiveness, I find it compelling that this is when Mr. Rogers is making his return.

Today is Valentine’s day, a day about Love. Sure, let’s all be romantic, buy flowers, cards, make affectionate gestures. It’s pretty easy to go through those motions. Romance is easy. But Love—Love is something that takes real courage and it is not always easy, in fact on many days, Love can be the greatest challenge for many. Love, true Love is the real reason for Valentine’s Day. Love is what builds a person, hence Love is what has built and continues building the world. Love happens in millions of ways that do not even come close to resembling romance. Holding the door, helping others, doing good works with no benefit to oneself. Love can happen by simply listening to what others have to say. Love happens when you try to be the kind of neighbor you would want to have.

“In fact 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 about those extra special people. Some of them might be right here, some may be far away, some may even be in heaven. No matter where they are, deep down you know they have 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.

…

Whomever you have been thinking about: just imagine how grateful they must be that you remember them when you think of your own becoming.”

-Fred Rogers, From his Commencement Speech at Middlebury College, May 2001

 

I feel incapable of following that up! But I will try. If you are reading this, then someone Loved you enough to teach you how to read. Someone Loved you enough to raise and nurture you. Someone Loved you enough to feed you, to explore the wonders of life with you. Someone Loved you enough to nurse you through heart break and illness. You are a product of Love.

This Valentine’s Day is for you.

As always, Love your Loved ones, and be Loved by those who Love you.