[livius]

My husband and I were houseparents in a group home for retarded adults many years ago. The residents would come home from the sheltered workshop all wound up - loud, fighting, unable to settle down. They got home about the same time that Mr. Rogers came on, and one day, one of my small children happened to have the TV on, tuned to Mr. Rogers, when the residents trooped in. They all came in, sat down and watched absolutely enthralled for the whole program. No fighting, no yelling, nothing but blessed silence and smiles.

This became an afternoon ritual. I was always completely stunned by the effect Mr. Rogers' calm tone, mild delivery, and really pleasant program content had on our residents. I used to watch it with them, and I must admit, it had a calming effect on me, too!

[TomSmedley]

I was always completely stunned by the effect Mr. Rogers' calm tone, mild delivery, and really pleasant program content had on our residents.

I heard a writer for Esquire say on NPR that Mr. Rogers typically spent more than an hour a day in prayer. (Talk about one surprise packaged inside another!) Talk about focus, paying full attention to a mission, and carrying it out over decades!