“we shared ideas like sweaters,
with easy exchange and lack of ownership.”
― ann patchett, truth and beauty
—
credits: getty images, mental floss
Mar6
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I didn't have my glasses on.... 
Good to know. Really. Bwahaha! He is either very comfortable with his masculinity or he has no masculinity – I don’t want to speculate. 😀
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i never have considered his masculinity, just know that he was a great man and wonderful teacher to many.
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Yes indeed he was a kind and patient man who was an excellent teacher and who added a lot to the education of many children over the years. I was being a bit tongue-in-cheek sigh – it’s one of those things we men do that makes no sense but insulting someone’s manhood is considered a mark of respect and bonding. I’m sure you’ve seen it done. i did hesitate before I wrote it, given it would be read by both genders, but decided it was likely in the spirit of good-will he would understand.I once worked with a retired Canadian Special Forces operative. John was about 400 pounds, towered over my measly 6’3″ frame and had the temperament of a Teddy Bear. He could act quite effeminate and yet his ex- team mates told stories of his courage and conviction and bravery when under fire. Anyway, we used to tease him lightly and he sure could tease us back and did. One Halloween we had a party at our employer’s and John came dressed in this humongous pink tutu with size 14 matching pink ballet slippers. Ha! Talk about comfortable in his masculinity. That ended any teasing.
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great story, paul, i’m sure that was something and someone you’ll never forget. no worries, i’m always open to others’ opinions, it’s just something that never occurred to me )
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I thought he wore the same sweater over and over and over.
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he was more complicated than that, and wore more than one sweater )
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I watched with my children and of course sang along. Years later I watched some reruns and the message/inspiration etc still is so true and comforting. 🙂
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very true –
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Awww
>
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let’s get susie on this project! )
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I did not know that! How sweet! I loved his soft-spoken style. I think he had a natural gift in reaching children. No surprise you would admire him. Happy Sunday, my friend! 🙂
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And to you )
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I love Mr Rogers. We miss his influence so much.
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He looks like a very nice and unassuming man, and those are often the best people to know
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I agree –
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I don’t know that that’s true. It sounds improbable. Support? Hrm…
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just have to take it as it is, and interpret it as you wish. always happy to hear many perspectives. i met a woman this fall, who had worked with him for 43 years. she still misses him and loves to tell his stories, and i can understand that –
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Right. He was a righteous dude!
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Don’t get me wrong, Fred Rogers was a uniquely decent human being. I’m just not convinced on the fishes and loaves and sweaters thing, is all.
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She found a way to keep him warm and comfortable long after she was gone. A loving, caring man with a loving, caring mom. Yup, sounds about right to me.
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me too, russ –
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According to Snopes, Mr. Rogers never served in the military. http://www.snopes.com/radiotv/tv/mrrogers.asp
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hi joyful – i just wanted to share the sweater story, not connected to any military story – i really just enjoyed the connection with his mom –
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Sorry, I wasn’t meaning to involve the sweater story in your blog. I just wanted to clarify a misconception some have held that he had been in the military. I apologize if I was out of line.
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no worries at all, i learn something every day from readers and writers in blogworld )
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Thank you. I loved Mr.Rogers too. Such a kind and gentle soul and loving father image for many kids.
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he was )
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I love this post, just a much needed reminder in this current negative climate. I did not know his mom knitted his sweaters – it is so endearing.
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thanks, i think so too –
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I love Mr. Rogers.
And that quote…no ownership of ideas. THAT is altruism.
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it is )
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Anyone who has ever knitted a sweater knows what an act of love it is to give it away. I’m too selfish to give mine away. The things I make by hand, like sweaters, socks, and neck warmers, end up becoming my favorite clothes.
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i’m not a knitter, but know how many hours and sweat and love go into them. i can imagine it would be hard to part with them when they’re finally finished. )
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Why does this fact not surprise me–that such a wonderful man had such a nurturing mother. Also, to squelch a rumor, he was never a sniper in the Navy Seals: he never served in the military: http://www.snopes.com/radiotv/tv/mrrogers.asp
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yes, to all that –
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Awww.
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awwww, is right )
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How sweet!
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wasn’t it though?
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