His Neighborhood

Of those to admire, or crusaders we've known pulled from the movies, or comic-book clones there is one to consider, I wish I had known. I'll say "Mr. Rogers", and eyebrows will raise. Considered, perhaps an unlikely name. Not the hero we're used to or one to seek fame. Just an everyday fellow, with a soft-velvet voice Humble, and gentle, you might call an odd choice. With a gentleman's warmth, he would open the door,... then ask us to join him for a neighborly while. He arrived on the scene when my children were small. Would reach for his sweater, from a hook on the wall, and, change into sneakers that lay on the floor. Inviting us in with a comfortable smile He opened that door to a new state of mind. Never demeaning, always thoughtful, and never unkind. Puppets and people, and storybook poems, and a neighborhood trolley that always came home! The postman, McFeely, and Lady Elaine... A neighbor called Aber, and memories to frame. Each day was a lesson, with uplifting traces, taking my children to other-world places Yet, what mattered the most, was a presence with heart. His endearing examples, and the lessons he taught such as loving your neighbor, or helping a friend, or how grief could be softened, when worlds come to end. He encouraged our children to take things out of that box, when parents got tongue-tied, or stumbled a lot. He could gently, with wisdom, look into their eyes. where they found understanding, and the lessons of life. How do we describe our heroes today? Do they kill and destroy, and the enemy slayed? Have we not learned the message that came softly spoken? Our children still listen and will thrive or be broken. Some will look for their heroes in the comic-book craze. I'll claim Mr. Rogers ..... as a hero today. ________________________________________