Happy Birthday, Neighbor

A wonderful human was born on March 20, 1928. Fred McFeely Rogers would change the face of youth education and entertainment with his soft spoken tone and messages of love and inclusion. He made quite an impression on me as a child and I would look forward to spending time in Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. His teachings were not limited just to the youth. As an adult I came across a recording of him addressing a senate subcommittee in 1969 to defend federal funding proposed for the Public Broadcasting Corporation. His tone and words were no different  in communicating to these powerful men than his teachings to the youth that watch his show. All of the feelings flooded back when I watched his unwavering compassion in this different situation. On this, which would have been his 88th birthday, I chose to photograph a sculpture built in his memory. The location of the structure couldn’t be better. The statue of Fred looks out over the city of Pittsburgh, ever smiling as he did in life. I find comfort in knowing that a part of him still watches over us.