Category: Baby Boomers

Was Mr. Rogers a hero?

Was Mr. Rogers a hero?

I’m sure there are many differing opinions about Mr. Rogers and the recent movie about his life played by Tom Hanks, however, I believe he was much more than a hero.

I grew up watching Mr. Rogers Neighborhood as a child and appreciate the way he helped children understand their feelings and the world around them. As an adult, I recall these things that made him different from everyone else:

  • He had a soft spoken voice that was welcoming.
  • He taught us manners and common courtesies.
  • When he took off his shoes and changed his coat it meant that he was purposefully putting away everything pertaining to the outside world and entering another world–his home.
  • He was focused on you (the audience) and sharing something from his heart.
  • He welcomed people who were different from him and tried to understand their culture, their childhood growing up and more importantly, where they were at that moment in time.
  • He taught children how to deal with their emotions, family issues and life in general.
  • He taught us that we were/are good, lovable, and should extend kindness to others.

In the movie, it showed how Mr. Rogers very lovingly, thoughtfully and methodically saw through the tough exteriors of people to get to the root of the issue. I guess you could say in modern terms that he psycho analyzed everyone. There was no screaming, bad or terse words to get our attention, it was the polar opposite. Mr. Rogers taught us why it was important to give someone you are speaking to your “full attention” when speaking on the phone or in person because they were/are important. How I wish for those times today! Don’t you?

At the end of the movie I saw men, women, boomers and millenials crying as the lights came up. It touched them and reminded them of a better time in their life and the world. As for me, I left the movie theatre feeling calm and peaceful. I even slept better that night than I had in a number of days.

In retrospect, I believe America needs another Mr. Rogers for our children and grandchildren to experience. My hope is that the boomers who grew up with Mr. Rogers will take the lessons we’ve been taught through the show and in life and continually pass it on to the next generation. Our world and the people in it are broken and in need of restoration both spiritually and physically.

Reflections Of Our Younger Selves

Photos courtesy of Tom Hussey.

Recently I came across these pictures on the internet and it was a reminder of how I’ve been feeling. I’ve heard it from others and totally let it go in one ear and out the other, but now I am beginning to reconsider the comments that I’ve heard from adults in their fifties and older. Comments like age is only a number until you start feeling your age; or one woman’s shock to see wrinkles and facial hair that seemed to grow overnight; to vows made to fight the aging process while others indulge with beauty treatments and exercise.

Even now I look into the mirror and see the swimming athlete I used to be and even after two children I was a size 6. But those days are long gone. Do I want them back? No, not really. What many of us baby boomers are realizing is that we think we can do the same things we used to do, but our bodies are telling us a different story through aches and pains. Some of my friends tell me things they used to do in their past like standing on his/her feet for 8 hours, swimming a 200 or 400 meter freestyle competition without being winded, running marathons, welding sculptures, climbing ladders and kneeling to pull weeds and plant flowers. Some retirees are running marathons in their 50’s and 60’s, bicycling 100 miles per day, boating and doing things they love. So does it really matter that you can’t do some of these activities any more when you’ve had an opportunity to take up new hobbies?

My answer is no. Why? Because we’ve learned many new things which have taken the place of these strenuous activities and we are wiser overall. What I see is that Boomers are realizing that time matters more now than when they were in their 30’s. What’s even better is that we now have the time to do something significant and make a difference. Some are mentoring young children, working in nonprofits to make a difference in their community, became care givers, driving seniors to doctor appointments and grocery stores, while others are continuing to work until they are 70.

Who am I today? I’m an individual who will make a difference in the lives of those around me. I’m still adventurous, full of life and can tackle anything. I’m a better version of my younger self. Who are you today?