A Book A Week

"Hello, neighbor!"

Let's face it. We are currently living in a frightening time in human history. As the reality of the global implications of COVID-19 set in, the news grows more and more disheartening. Five weeks into staying home, it has gotten more difficult to keep a positive outlook. The number of people infected with the virus continues to climb. The number of people who have succumbed to the virus rises too. Even those who aren't faced with fighting the disease themselves have been affected by the subsequent ramifications of it. Thankfully, there are countless stories of light shining through the darkness and despair. From the stories of retired healthcare professionals returning to the field to aid in the fight to the truck drivers selflessly working grueling hours to get food and supplies to those who need it, we are reminded each day of the remarkable way humanity can band together in a common goal.

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'"

As I sat in my house reflecting on these strange times, I was reminded of a book that has been patiently waiting on my shelf since the publisher gifted me a copy last fall. Kindness and Wonder: Why Mr. Rogers Matters Now More Than Ever by Gavin Edwards seems like a perfect book for this moment in history. I was one of the countless fortunate children who grew up watching public television. I still remember watching episodes of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, curiously hanging on the words of the friendly host. I remember the way he slowly spoke on the show, not afraid to sit in silence as he did menial things like feed the fish or tie his shoes. It wasn't until many years later that I realized the profound impact of his show and teachings. Now, I once again found comfort in his story.

Edward's book is divided into two sections. The first reads as a fairly traditional biography of Fred Rogers. It follows his unlikely rise from a young theology student and ordained minister to television star. I was struck by a couple things. First, I never realized how much thought and meticulous preparation went into the scripts of each episode of the show. Rogers carefully crafted his scripts to ensure his message would come across in a way that was both palatable and educational to his young audience. Second, Rogers was unafraid to use his platform to tackle difficult subjects. He welcomed an African American cast member to share in cooling waters of his pool during the height of the civil rights movement. He employed his quiet Daniel the Tiger puppet to have a frank discussion of assassination after Kennedy was killed. He even produced a special geared toward helping parents talk to their children in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. For such a seemingly unassuming man, Fred Rogers was perfectly willing to make vocal statements on current affairs.

The second part of Kindness and Wonder delves into the characteristics of Fred Rogers that Edwards posits can be impactful if practiced in our own lives. While the message of this section is meant to serve as an inspirational conclusion to the work, I'll admit it read as a little bit too "self-help" for my personal tastes. There are a few inspirational anecdotes, but other parts are a tad dry. Still, there is great value in reflecting on the life and mission of Fred Rogers. Kindness, humility, patience, empathy, all of these are attributes of rogers that we can strive to emulate in our own lives. At a brief 250 pages or so, Kindness and Wonder is the kind of book you can fall into during an afternoon and feel the emotional impact of immediately. It is like the warm hug of a family member or, perhaps more accurately, the reassuring voice of a long-forgotten friend. This is not the first challenge humanity has faced, and it will not be the last. Be it donating masks, volunteering at food banks, or even just reaching out to a neighbor, we can all find a way to make an impact. After all, "You've made this day a special day, by just your being you."

For more information visit Amazon and Goodreads.
(2020, 14)