It's a Beautiful Day

Thank you, Fred Rogers.

As we continue to settle into our new home, the theme song from Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood periodically runs through my head.  Fred came along well after my childhood, but certainly in time for my children.  His show was carried by Public Broadcasting and showed the power of federally funded broadcasting.  Along with Sesame Street, he influenced a generation of children, who are now parents themselves, but I wonder what happened to the lessons he tried to teach?

Where has the gentleness, civility, and compassion that were the focus of his lessons gone?  During his time, he was often the focus of “adult” humor, which focused on the childish nature of his show. Did we actually choose to teach our children that as they grow they must transition from the gentleness of a child to a ruder, uncivil nature to be an adult?  Were his lessons so transitory they are easily replaced by the next set of messages pushed by the entertainment industry?  An industry that has brought us the violence and vulgarity of what is now Hollywood’s stock in trade?  Or the social media giants of FaceBook and Twitter who offer us the ability to speak (or write) before thinking, with the assumption our voice is the most important of all the voices.

I think I will begin a nightly routine of chatting with Gracie and George as they seem to listen, at least for now.