Normally I can't abide a tweetstorm, but that policy is conflicting with my "always post Fred Rogers stories" policy.
Mister Rogers always wins.
(If you want the really good stuff, Tom Junod's profile of him from years ago should leave you at least a little bit misty, if you aren't a replicant. It's also exceptional writing.)
50 years ... I have a story to tell about this man. https://t.co/4MtEIcrdZE
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017
Fred Rogers was from Pittsburgh, my hometown, and my generation grew up loving this man, who taught us to be kind above all. 2/
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017
As I got older, I lost touch with the show, which kept running through 2001. But in college, one day, I rediscovered it... 4/
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017
I went to Pitt and devoted everything I had to the school paper, hoping that would propel me into some kind of worthwhile future. 6/
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017
The TV was playing in an empty common room. Mr. Rogers as there, asking me what I do with the mad I feel. (I had lots to spare. still do) 8/
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017
Days later, I get in the elevator at the paper to ride down to the lobby. The doors open. Mr. Rogers is standing there. For real. 10/
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017
He smiles, but this has to happen to him every 10 feet. "Did you grow up as one of my neighbors?" I felt like crying. Yeah. I was. 14/
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017
I pull it together. We're walking out and I mention liking Johnny Costa (he was the piano player on the show.) We made more small talk. 16/
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017
So I just said, "Thanks for that." Mr. Rogers nodded. He paused. He undid his scarf. He motioned to the window, & sat down on the ledge. 18/
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017
So I sat. I told him my grandfather had just died. He was one of the few good things I had. I felt adrift. Brokenhearted. 20/
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017
Mr. Rogers asked how long ago Pap had died. It was a couple months. His grandfather was obviously gone decades. 22/
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017
"Those things never go away," Mr. Rogers said. I'm sure my eyes looked like stewed tomatoes. 26/
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017
Mr. Rogers was there for me then. So here's this story, on the 50th anniversary of his show, for anyone who needs him now. 28/
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017