Won't You Be My Neighbor?

It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood

A beautiful day for a neighbor

Would you be mine?

Could you be mine?

As so many others I enjoyed watching Mr. Rogers walk into his studio home, change his jacket for a sweater and his shoes for house slippers as he sang Won’t You Be My Neighbor?.  Of course, I watched enough to have the words of the song memorized and I always sang along without ever thinking much about the words.  I watched because I enjoyed the imaginative way of teaching and showing things.  Mr. Rogers always taught kindness through stories, using imagination and conversations on screen with a number of different guests.

It’s a neighborly day in this beautywood

A neighborly day for a beauty

Would you be mine?

Could you be mine?

With each story and interaction, I most often recognized the lesson being taught.  Sometimes it was a simple educational opportunity – knowledge about how the world works.  Invariably, however, the ultimate lessons were about kindness to one another regardless of our differences.

I have always wanted to have a neighbor just like you

I’ve always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you

Because of his kindness, Mr. Rogers created a safe place for millions of children.  He taught lessons that many might not be learning otherwise.  He was a role model for children and adults alike.  He invited us to be his neighbor, to be his friend.  He let us know that he cared.

So let’s make the most of this beautiful day

Since we’re together, we might as well say

Would you be mine?

Could you be mine?

Won’t you be my neighbor?

Won’t you please

Won’t you please

Please won’t you be my neighbor?

Now, as an adult, looking back I’ve learned some new lessons about Fred Rogers.  As a child, he experienced first-hand unkindness from other children.  This helped him to be friend to himself and develop his imagination.  Most know he was an ordained Presbyterian minister, something he earned after starting his career in television.  I’ve listened to and read some of the things he’s said and written on and off of his famous show.

There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind.  The second way is to be kind.  The third way is to be kind.

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Because deep down we know that what matters in this life is much more than winning for ourselves.  What really matters is helping others win too, even if it means slowing down and changing our course now and then.

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I hope you’re proud of yourself for the times you’ve said “yes,” when all it meant was extra work for you and was seemingly helpful only to someone else.

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I believe that appreciation is a holy thing, that when we look for what’s best in the person we happen to be with at the moment, we’re doing what God does.  So, in loving and appreciating our neighbors, we’re participating in something truly sacred.

There’s that word again neighbors.  Why does he focus on asking us to be his neighbor?  Because as he’s lived the Greatest Commandment, he is also living the second greatest commandment.

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all they soul, and with all they mind.

“This is the first and great commandment.

“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love they neighbor as thyself.” – Matthew 22:37-39

As Fred Rogers invited us, pleaded with us to be his neighbor, he was obeying the second great commandment.  He was following the example of Jesus Christ. He lived this commandment openly and fully.  The lesson for me is this.  We are all neighbors.  The second great commandment instructs and invites us to love everyone as we love ourselves.  It takes a deliberate effort.  It is ministering as the Savior ministered.  Like Mr. Rogers, we should be valiant and magnify our efforts to obey this commandment by expanding our circle by helping others to recognize they are our neighbors by loving them, by ministering to them.