Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood Does It Again…

Dear Reader:

Ever since the latest terrorist-induced tragedy at Manchester, England this quote from Fred Rogers has been circulating (via the internet) at the speed of lightning…because it addresses the basic fear we are all experiencing. When and where is terrorism going to strike next?

Obviously from this wonderful motherly piece of advice (title quote) by Mrs. Rogers to her(then) small son, Fred, we see where Mr. Rogers got his wisdom and common sense.

Some of you might have seen the following powerful “God Wink” story on several of the CBS News Shows over the weekend…but it just made me feel better in the unsettled world in which we live today. Hope it does the same for you.

A Compassionate Message from a Neighbor…at the Right Time

(Steve Hartman interview with Senior Writer, Anthony Breznican, for Entertainment Weekly)

“That quote almost seems too good to be true, right?” Breznican said. “Whenever you see these quotes, it’ll be Abraham Lincoln saying something” that he never really said.

“Mr. Rogers said that. And I knew, from experience, that Mr. Rogers was like that in real life,” Anthony said.

Which is why, when Anthony shared the quote, he added a personal story from when he was in college that made it all the more poignant.

“I was struggling, lonely, dealing with a lot of broken pieces and not adjusting well.”

Then one day he said he walked into an empty commons with the TV on.

“And there was Mr. Rogers. I just stood there mesmerized,” he said.

He watched the entire episode and felt a little better, but says the real fix came a few days later.

“I’m going downstairs to the lobby of the student union and the elevator opens and Mr. Rogers is standing there. And I just got in the elevator and he said, ‘Were you one of my television neighbors?’ And I was like, ‘Yes, I was one of your neighbors!'” he said.

Anthony told him about how he had just watched the show and how it made him feel better.

“He sat down and he said, ‘Would you like to tell me what was upsetting you?’ I didn’t have anybody that I could talk to like that,” he said.

“I felt like his trolley car. I fell off the tracks, he put me back on, and that was all I needed. And at one point I said, ‘I’m really sorry, I hope I’m not tying you up and you have somewhere else to go.’ And he said, ‘Sometimes you’re in just the right place…we’re just in the right place.”

Mr. Rogers was  in just the right place again this week, reminding us to look for the helpers — the first responders, the global leaders and caring neighbors across the world — who still outnumber evil a million to one.

……………………………..

So until tomorrow…Let us all look for the right place where we need to be when we are needed.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

My garden is always my right place…Here’s this week’s surprises. If you ever miss me when you come a’calling…walk around back to the garden.

 

A cousin hug- If I am not in the garden look for me with these little rascals- it always the right place!😍❤️

 

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”
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6 Responses to Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood Does It Again…

  1. bcparkison says:

    Just yesterday I think,there was a clip of Mr. Rodgers explaining why there should be funding for educational TV. ( from years ago ) Simple and perfectly explained.
    Your garden is lovely…mine a disaster.

    • Becky Dingle says:

      You are so right! I am so sad over the funding cuts to PBS/ETV- It is far superior and inspiring for all of us- especially our children and grandchildren!

  2. Rachel Edwards says:

    I smiled when I read this and the song “I come to the garden alone where the dew is still on the …and He walks with me and He talks to me….” Love that song…Love my garden too…and love you…headed to Mt Airy North Carolina to see Mayberry where Andy walked and whistled. ..kinda like another Mr Rogers…

    On May 30, 2017 6:07 AM, “Chapel of Hope Stories” wrote:

    Becky Dingle posted: ” Dear Reader: Ever since the latest terrorist-induced tragedy at Manchester, England this quote from Fred Rogers has been circulating (via the internet) at the speed of lightning…because it addresses the basic fear we are all experiencing. When and wh”

    • Becky Dingle says:

      Oh Wow!! I am so envious Gin-g. Take lots of pictures…I think a walk back to Mayberry and “Sheriff Andy’ is what just the doctor ordered for all of us in this crazy world!Be safe and have fun!!!

  3. Jo Dufford says:

    Mr. Rogers had something for all people, young and old. Everyone felt as if he were a neighbor and was talking just to him/her. Wouldn’t hurt to have a few programs like that on TV today. Love your pictures,as usual. I agree with Gin-g that your garden makes me think of that beautiful song, and I can almost imagine a feeling of walking with God through your paths.

    • Becky Dingle says:

      I love that song too! And it makes me sad that funding is being taken away from PBS/ ETV in the budget! We need more Sesame Street and Mr ROGERS Neighborhoods!
      So glad to hear from you Jo! Have missed you!

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