(Photo Credit: Sony Pictures)

 

We could all use a little kindness... G and I were able to attend a showing of A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood while in Portland for some family time. I can't stress enough what a beautiful movie it was and how amazing Mr. Rogers was portrayed by Tom Hanks. When we first decided to attend the movie I thought it was a biographical feature. But in fact, it was about the relationship between Mr. Rogers and a journalist that was writing a piece for Esquire magazine titled "Can You Say... Hero?" I didn't anticipate that I would be so emotionally moved by the film.

 

Mr. Rogers is very close and dear to both G and I. In our early years of marriage there came a time when through a series of events we made a move to another state and town where we didn't know a soul. I only agreed to make the move if G would become a stay at home dad for our 8 year old and our youngest who only 5 months old. I wasn't comfortable leaving the baby with strangers. Back in the late 80s there weren't many stay at home dads and it was a lonely time for G. But, Mr. Rogers was there every day. When I would get home from the hospital, G would greet me at the door and tell me where Mr. Rogers had taken them for the day. And our mantra was... "I like you just the way you are." Those early years were challenging, but we were a strong family unit and years later we learned to embrace those early years. I made G a Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood quilt and on the label I wrote... "I like you just the way you are!" Quilts are a wonderful way to save memories. Hope you make time to stitch a memory.