I just watched on our PBS station, a Tribute to Mr Rogers. It was a documentary on how Fred started in children's programming and then when he had Mr. Rogers Neighborhood.
At the end, it was so touching it just brought tears to my eyes. This was filmed I am guessing in the 1980's. There was a young boy of about 8 in a wheelchair on the program. He explained his disability. He was 7 months old and had a tumor. When they went to get the tumor out, nerves were severed that told his arms and legs what to do.
The little guy was beautiful, and you could see how much he revered Mr. Rogers. Fred started to sing " It's You I Like", and the young boy smiled, and began singing along with Fred. I got all choked up, because he was teaching love to the audience, but he was making that young boy feel they were all alone. It was so good.
Hope those interested will check your local PBS and catch it. I am sure it will run over and over.
What a sweet story. Contrast Fred Rogers with some of the 'tude shows on TV now--ugh.
My computer was down all day yesterday and I was dying to get over on freep and grieve with others.
Like someone else said, this is like a little piece of some of our childhood is gone. That's the one thing about cartoons I guess--they never age because they are pretend--it's almost consoling when you lose a real human treasure from your childhood. Think I'll go watch some Scooby Doo(the old shows) and pretend like Mr. Rogers is still only in his late 40's and making new shows for me to watch every week.
RIP Fred...may you be entertaining and comforting the Adam Walshes and the Danielle Van Dams in heaven while they wait for their parents to return home to the Father someday.