Ms. Rogers Neighborhood
Editors Note: Ms. Rogers told me about a church in Frisco called Stonebriar. I live in Texas and don’t know why she is recommending churches in California.
A: did you know…mr. rogers is my dad. he wrote that song….
me: what?
me: that’s crazy!
A: yeah.
A: i know.
me: isn’t he a bit old to be your father?
A: he’s no longer with us actually.
me: do you know what mr. rogers did to children who lied?
A: what?
me: i have no idea
me: what year did your father die?
A: i can’t remember…but i know i cried when he died. it was a sad sad day
me: did you grow up in pittsburg?
A: okay…i confess.
me: are you still living in the land of make believe?
A: he’s not my dad.
A: technically
A: my last name isn’t really rogers.
A: i’ve been living a lie my whole life.
me: for a second there i thought we were related
me: he is my uncle
A: thank goodness we’re not related!
me: thank goodness?
me: who is goodness and why are you thanking him?
A: do you know there is a new study about multi tasking…it doesn’t make you as productive as you imagine.
A: it takes your brain too long to switch back and forth.
me: there is another new study about snickers bars
me: if you eat a lot of them, they make you fat
me: (not you, but people in general)
A: no way! i just ate three of them for lunch…is that a problem?
me: i’m not at liberty to say
A: way to be diplomatic
me: before you go, let me ask you a question
A: shoot
me: won’t you be my neighbor?
A: of course. would you be mine?
me: i will be your neighbor
A: thanks…i can now get thru the rest of my day.
me: just call my name.. and i’ll be there.
A: you’ve turned into jackson 5!
me: i thought that was mariah carey
A: if your mask was pulled of (ala scooby doo style) would it reveal michael jacskon?
me: oh dear
A: b.c he really shouldn’t be working with mschoolers…
me: i’m not at liberty to say
A: your token response today…
me: won’t you be my neighbor?
A: i’m not at liberty to say
me:i better go before i get fired
A: we’d hate for that to happen.
me: it might not be the worst thing that ever happened, but probably isn’t a good idea
A: maybe 22? i’m flattered.
me: i am only 23 btw
A: pretty mature for a 23 yr old. haha!
me: ok, i lied
me: i’m really only 22
A: then how do you explain your knowledge of gilligans island and mr magoo?
A: or the revelation that you’re dating yourself?
me: i owe it all to the magic of re-runs and you have to date someone
A: nick at nite?
me: tvland
A: they had cable in NH?
me: wow
me: that hurts me 
A: i apologize for the mass generalization.
me: they were nh generalizations
me: or were they mass generalizations too?
me: because we are a kind and forgiving people i will offer my other guy to be gouged out.
me: make that my other cheek
A: that’s a little graphic, mark. not sure what that even means but please don’t gouge out any cheeks!
me: I just told *censored* that you said that you think she smells funny
me: i don’t think she liked that
A: lying is not very becoming, makr
A: er mark.
me: i don’t know what that expression means
me: should lying be going?
A: I must be going.
My first awareness of change within me came as I began to reflect on how I performed the mundane responsibilities from which I felt so alienated. Though I was not completely alive to them, I was able at least to think about them, if only from a distance. I was struck by how wonderfully ordinary life is. Simply being alive became holy to me. As I saw myself typing exams, chatting with a student on the way to class, or tucking one of my children into bed, I sensed I was beholding something sacred. My encounters with students presented astonishing opportunities to listen and encourage. Bedtime with Catherine, David, and John allowed me to convey the blessing and love of God to them. I was not yet fully alive to these ordinary moments, but I began to glimpse how profound they were.