Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Mr. Rogers said.



What a wise thing to say to a child.
We ARE helpless in most of these tragic events.  Watching from afar.
Fred's mom was encouraging her son to immediately look for the positive and not
become paralyzed with fear.

It was a very good thing to say to a child.

The child within me
also felt comforted.


****

Waz that?


One year ago today,
Ginny met a bicycle.


DSC_9826_1

And the grass was green.

I think Ginny has grown into her tongue.  It doesn't hang quite a long anymore.
I always thought it was so funny.


*****


We have sun for a bit again today.  A few hours yesterday and a few hours today.
It's so lovely and bright and beautiful.

I am so very thankful.

What happens matters,
Donna



28 comments:

  1. What happens matters...so true.

    I love Mr. Rogers, and I love that his words have gone viral in the midst of the Boston tragedy.

    We had thunder storms yesterday, and man did the rain pour down. Our temps got down to the mid 30s last night, but expected this weekend: 80. Welcome to spring in the Sierra Foothills (-: Bring a sweater, an umbrella and your flip flops, just in case.

    Hoping for green grass and bright blue sky for you very soon, dear and patient Donna.

    Love,
    Di

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  2. That Mrs. Rogers--what a wise lady she must've been. Taught him to always have that sweater handy and to wear comfy loafers too!

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  3. I posted the Friday forecast on facebook yesterday. 5-7 inches of snow. on April 19th. That's late. And a lot. Even for us. But in light of the world today - terror and earthquakes - maybe it feels a bit like the baptismal pall that covers the casket.... that even when we're broken, we're covered and carried. At least, that's how I'm choosing to look at it. At least for now.

    I have loved Mr. Rogers' words, too. I recently watched the video of his speech when he won something at the Kennedy Center, and that dear little boy who sang 'It's You I Like' with him when he was little - in a wheelchair - came out as a surprise as a grown man - I cried and cried. Didn't really realize what a presence Mr. R was in my life until recently. I really did love him.

    Peace. And soon and coming daffodils.

    Stephie

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    Replies
    1. "...covered and carried." Lovely. Thank you for that.

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  4. I love this quote so much - it is indeed comforting.

    I've had a book on my Kindle for ages, and I keep meaning to begin - but other books (hello, DB) keep bumping it back. It is "The Simple Faith of Mister Rogers: Spiritual Insights from the World's Most Beloved Neighbor". I look forward to learning more about Mr R.

    As for snow - well, I hope it stays away for your sakes. But it is a lovely reminder that we are washed whiter than snow, thanks be to God.

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  5. I like that quote. More people have mentioned the responders in all the news than normal I feel, which is great. There are more of us that are good than bad ! Also, Ginny is a cute girl. Hope it stays sunny...

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    1. {{{LIKE}}}

      and yes, Ginny is a VERY cute girl. She's a darlin'.

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    2. Anonymous11:02 AM

      Thank you, Emma, for the reminder that there are more of us who are good than bad. When these things happen it is so upsetting to realize just how evil people can be. And yet, we know that God is in control and good will indeed triumph over evil. I have Hebrews 6:19 on a post-it on my computer- "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."
      Debbie Z.

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  6. I love Mr. Rogers as well. My toddler is fond of Daniel Tiger, and I'm so glad. It's a spin-off of sorts from Mr. Rogers with great lessons in each episode.

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  7. Hug your sunshine for me! Snowing here again today. I had those words from Mr. Rogers in my mind yesterday as I talked to my 15 year-old about what happened. She is always my most sensitive to these things. She asked why these things happen and why God lets them. I hope my answer that we all get to make choices about who we are, how we will act, and if we will show love or hate helps her today.

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    Replies
    1. I hope so too Gayle. Blessings to your dear girl.

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  8. Anonymous10:36 AM

    Sophia likes Ginny. "Oh, look at that doggy!" : )

    Mr. Rogers to the rescue. That quote was the best thing I read all day yesterday. Thank you for sharing it here because I don't think we can read it enough really.

    No sunshine here today, but I am not going to let it damper my mood.

    Sarah P. from Iowa

    Thank you all for your prayers!!! I truly appreciate it. I told Stacey that I have some friends that are praying for her and she is very thankful.

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    1. Anonymous11:06 AM

      Sarah, I got up this morning thinking about Stacey and Debbie and saying a prayer for them. Please let us know how life goes for them. I am praying for God's love to shine on them through all who are helping them medically and all who are praying for them and those who love them. jep

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    2. Yes, please let us know about Stacey and Debbie. E.

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  9. Anonymous11:15 AM

    Dear Mr. Rogers was so present in our son's lives when they were little. His calm demeanor helped me as a young mother. Sometimes I would even sit down with the boys and watch and be comforted by his beautiful voice. God worked through him in so many ways. It was years before I knew he was an ordained minister. With a mother like he had, no wonder he turned out like he did. That quote helps us choose to look away from the evil and trust in God's goodness in humans. Thank you for sharing that and those sweet Ginny photographs. A group of us older generation ladies were talking at church on sunday about how we enjoy our grand-critters, but don't have pets of our own anymore. Ginny is a treat for my eyes and heart. And, one more thing...I could have pushed the LIKE button for every comment here today. Thank you Donna for birthing this loving community.
    love and prayers, jep

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  10. Dogmom11:48 AM

    I heard that comment by Mr. Rogers on NPR this morning and intended to write it down and remember it forever -- it impressed me so much -- but in the hustle-bustle of the morning completely forgot about it. How lovely to get to work this morning and check your blog and see it front and center to remind me -- and all of us -- to look for the Helpers because they are always there. The Helpers of Boston will join that amazing and blessed list of angels who make such a difference with small and kind acts. Some maybe not so small at all but maybe unreported. Blessings be to them. Thanks, Donna.

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  11. Donna,
    Thank you for having Mr. Rogers' quote on your blog. I loved Mr. Rogers as a child. He was my friend, and I watched him again when my son was little. I listened to a long interview recently that he gave several years before he died where he talked in depth about "helpers." I also read the book about his spiritual life that someone here on QL has on their e-reader. Great book. Great man. And such a comfort to me today. As is this loving, kind community. We need to make sure that love wins in this world.

    hmbalison

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  12. Today, I had to explain what happened in Boston to my 8 year-old son. I leaned heavily on what good ol' Mr. Rogers said. Sometimes I wish I could escape to his Neighborhood for a while...
    Today, I sang at the funeral Mass for my friend Mary (whom I have mentioned here before and asked for your prayers). I leaned heavily on the Holy Spirit.
    Feeling very much like a wrung-out dishrag. But, like Mr. Rogers and my Mary, I'm choosing to look for the helpers. Look for the good in people. It exists! And what happens most definitely matters.

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    1. Anonymous3:11 PM

      Dear Beth, praying for the Repose of Mary's soul today. jep

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    2. God bless you Beth - I'm sorry.

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    3. Anonymous7:46 PM

      Oh, Beth, I'm so sorry. Prayers as you miss your friend Mary and as you deal with tough discussions with your boy.
      Mary Z

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  13. Anonymous4:07 PM

    I am so sorry, Beth. Prayers.

    Sarah P. from Iowa

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  14. I am always thankful for beautiful weather. Ginny is just such a beautiful dog. Re-pinned your quote. Love this.

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  15. Anonymous7:52 PM

    Thank you so much for the Mr. Rogers quote, Donna, and for cute pictures of Ginny. Both were comforting on a day like today when we're all still trying to process the madness of yesterday. God bless us all.
    Mary Z

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  16. I grew up on Mr. Rogers. Everyday, I'd watch him, Sesame Street and the Electric Company.
    I had also posted that same picture on my Facebook page the night of the bombings--positive and helpful, Mr. Rogers was.
    I also tacked on a quote from Dr. Brene Brown: "Information reduces anxiety, but media saturation increases trauma & fear. Helping can heal."
    Thank the Lord for the first responders, including the fellow spectators who jumped in there to help.

    Isn't it amazing how fast puppies grow? As a fellow yellow Lab owner, I absolutely adore her pictures. Bear, my Lab, refuses to sit still and stately for me to take his pictures--he could use some lessons from Ginny!

    E.


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  17. I really love your dog.

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