Casey Pair

I started elementary school in 1991 and it was a horrible time for me due to bullying and other things going on. Often I would fake sick so I could go home where I felt more safe and to watch Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. He was my only friend during that time. It's now 2020 and here I am at age 32. I'm watching this movie and, as soon as the familiar tune of the main theme plays, here I am again as that 4 year old, all the emotions flooding back like they never left, but now I have newer memories and emotions on top of it of losing so many family members throughout the years, including my father to cancer. All the sadness and anger I have kept on me bottled up, until I explode and hurt those around me so they would feel how I feel. I forgot the lessons I learned from Fred as that kid. This movie reminded me of those lessons. To learn how to forgive. To not fear death. To be the best me I could be. Because he likes us for being us. There's no one like us in the whole wide world. The world and the children of today needs the positive masculinity of Fred Rogers. I'm atheist, but even I pray for someone to finally pick up where he left off and continue his message and teachings.