There’s a documentary by Morgan Neville about Fred Rogers entitled “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”….

“In 15 years of reviewing films professionally, I can’t recall ever having heard as many sniffles and sobs as I did when “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”  played to a packed house at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival.” (From Kenneth Morefield’s article, “Love Thy Neighbor as Mister Rogers Did,” in Christianity Today, June 7,2018)

I understand this display of emotions felt by many when they recalled Fred Rogers. My own life has been richer, because I believed him when he told us, “You are my friend! You are special!” Memories of Mister Rogers inevitably include his kindness, his love, his gentleness, and his acceptance of others who were his neighbors.

The special thing about Mister Rogers was that everyone was his neighbor. He intentionally taught children (and reminded adults) valuable traits to help us all live on this planet as neighborly as possible.

For more than 30 years Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was more than an educational environment on television; it was a safe haven where children felt loved, accepted, and well… special. It was a place where hope to love our neighbor overflowed as from a wellspring.

Mister Rogers was the epitome of a good neighbor, and I am thankful for him, his life lessons, and his example. In today’s neighborhoods called “the real world” we need more like Mister Rogers and more of his hope to truly love our neighbors.

Was this man in his casual sweater and comfortable shoes extraordinary? Perhaps he was an ordinary man who simply trusted and obeyed the words of Jesus: “… You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39)