Mr. Fred Rogers was truly one of a kind. He was a gentle spirit who saw each person as a valued and loved child of God. His TV show, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, was on the air for 31 seasons, starting in 1968. He inspired generations with his kindness. Mr. Rogers passed away in 2003, but his legacy of kindness, compassion, and caring continues to grow two decades later.
This past Wednesday, November 13, was “World Kindness Day.” The first World Kindness Day began in 1998. It is a day set aside to remind us of how important kindness is, as we seek to live together in this world. This year, World Kindness Day also become known as Cardigan Day. Because Mr. Rogers was one of the kindest men the world, and because he was famous for wearing his cardigan sweater on his show, it seemed natural that the world should put on a sweater and remember the legacy of kindness that Mr. Rogers left the world.
Kindness is not something that is limited to famous TV personalities. Kindness is something all people are called to practice. That is why on World Kindness Day, the staff of UPMC Magee-Women’s Hospital in Pittsburgh dressed all of their newborn babies in hand-knitted sweaters – in honor of Mr. Rogers. The little one’s clothes were all made by one nurse. The staff then reached out to Mrs. Joanne Rogers, the widow of the late TV star. When she arrived at the hospital, she found a staff and nursery filled with sweaters. It was a beautiful recognition of a life of kindness.
To truly be ‘neighbors’ requires kindness. We all live together in this world. Mr. Rogers showed us that kindness creates a place where we all are welcomed, where we act to bless one another, and where we put the needs of others first. It does not have to be World Kindness day for us to put on our cardigans and bless our neighbors. We can choose to be kind any time. Let’s choose to be kind today.
“Let’s make the most of this beautiful day
Since we’re together, we might as well say
Would you be my, could you be my
Won’t you be my Neighbor?”
– Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
