As all of us with an internet connection now know, a horrific series of terrorist attacks committed by the Islamic State occurred in Paris on the evening of Friday, November 13, injuring and killing scores (including a student studying abroad from my university), and igniting international mourning and solidarity. I have nothing to say in response, since there is rarely anything that could be said in the wake of such unimaginable things that does not sound offensively trite. But what I did think about after I heard what had happened is one of the loveliest (and one of my fave) quotes from a certain Mister Rogers: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers—so many caring people in this world.” Admittedly, I sometimes find that hard to believe, not only because there are people who want to maim and murder others, but also because of the people who see these tragedies as an opportunity to spread even more hate into the world. While Mister Rogers is no longer of this world (and this world is certainly poorer for it), I’ve rounded up some awesome Mister Rogers quotes and anecdotes to brighten up what has been a dreary couple of days.
1. Mister Rogers' 9/11 Anniversary Message
You probably should just watch the entire thing, because it’s beautiful. I want to quote the whole thing, but again, you need to watch it, and it would be a bit much to quote it all (but I’m not above it). Although "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" ended in August 2001 (after nearly 40 years on air), Mister Rogers (his first name was Fred, but calling him Fred feels weird, so) agreed to do a special segment to signify the first anniversary of 9/11 in 2002. Addressed to adults who used to watch "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" growing up, Mister Rogers discusses how to ease children’s fears after tragedies like 9/11 occur. My choice quote would be this:
“I know how tough it is some days to look with hope and confidence on the months and years ahead. But I would like to tell you what I often told you when you were much younger: I like you just the way you are.”
Watch it here.
2. Love Is a Struggle
The next few quotes are from Mister Rogers’ book, "The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember." It’s a short, dope book, full of wonderful advice that you should go out and read right now. I’ll start with probably the most famous quote from that book, and then rattle out three more of the greatest hits sans comment.
“Love isn't a state of perfect caring. It is an active noun like struggle. To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now.”
3. You Are so Much More
“What's been important in my understanding of myself and others is the fact that each one of us is so much more than any one thing. A sick child is much more than his or her sickness. A person with a disability is much, much more than a handicap. A pediatrician is more than a medical doctor. You're much more than your job description or your age or your income or your output.”
4. One of the Finest Characteristics
“Most of us, I believe, admire strength. It's something we tend to respect in others, desire for ourselves, and wish for our children. Sometimes, though, I wonder if we confuse strength with other words—like 'aggression' and even 'violence.' Real strength is neither male nor female; but it is, quite simply, one of the finest characteristics that a human being can possess.”
5. Invisible Imperishable Good Stuff
“In the external scheme of things, shining moments are as brief as the twinkling of an eye, yet such twinklings are what eternity is made of -- moments when we human beings can say ‘I love you,’ ‘I’m proud of you,’ ‘I forgive you,’ ‘I’m grateful for you.’ That’s what eternity is made of: invisible imperishable good stuff.”
6. This Whole Freaking Article
You really should read this entire 1998 Esquire article about a journalist who spent a couple of days with Mister Rogers. Mister Rogers kept the same daily routine every day: he swam, prayed, read and responded to fan mail, and idiosyncratically, he maintained the weight of 143 pounds for the last 30 years of his life (according to him, “143” was special because it represented the number of letters in each word of the phrase “I love you”). Throughout the article, Mister Rogers is shown mostly meeting with his fans, most of them special needs children. At one point, Mister Rogers shows the journalist his future burial plot. Mister Rogers was an ordained Presbyterian pastor, but while visiting the graveyard, he ponders whether or not the actual meaning of life is to create heaven on earth, and then he says the loveliest, most sincere thing:
“The connections we make in the course of a life—maybe that's what heaven is […] We make so many connections here on earth. Look at us—I've just met you, but I'm investing in who you are and who you will be, and I can't help it.”
We could sit here all day trading Mister Rogers’ quotes (by all means, keep reading ‘em if it cheers you up). But I’d like to talk about the first one again, the one about helpers. If you want to be a helper for Parisians, or are looking for helpers yourself, here’s a great resource detailing a few ways to help. And if you’re in a different situation and you’re looking for the helpers, here are a couple more great places I can think of:
National Alliance to End Homelessness
As the homie Mister Rogers once said, “Real strength has to do with helping others.” In the face of complete devastation, we can all be strong. We can ask for help. We can be helpers.
