A World On Fire

Over the last few days, we’ve been excited to receive boxes of books to be sold and given as special gifts during the run of the play, I’m Proud of You, which opens this Saturday night, March 22, at Open Stage, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  

Copies of I’m Proud of You: My Friendship with Fred Rogers, by Texas journalist Tim Madigan, our dear friend, were in those boxes. I’m Proud of You, the play, is based on Tim’s story of how Mister Rogers’ empathy, unconditional love, and kindness transformed Tim’s life. 

This book was the first book that Someone To Tell It To co-founders - Michael Gingerich and Tom Kaden - read together as their own friendship developed and as they created Someone To Tell It To, in 2012. The themes of that book were foundational to establishing the mission we and our team members foster today. 

One of the threads woven through Tim’s books, as well as the play, is the revelation that Fred Rogers was truly and absolutely as genuine in real life that he was on his iconic children’s television show. It was a surprising discovery. Over and over again, Fred, even though he was human, with all of a human’s idiosyncrasies and foibles, was consistent in his actions and through his words. He was unfailingly empathetic, unconditionally loving, and graciously kind. 

Fred set a very high bar in his relationships and interactions with others. He was a rare gift to our world.

At the end of last night’s rehearsal, the actor - Stuart Landon - portraying Tim in the play, remarked how much the world needs Fred’s genuineness and goodness right now. Each of us there - the actors, director, and stage manager - all agreed. Being together and rehearsing this play, we all shared, has been a much-welcome respite from the fractures and “a world on fire” news reports that bombard us each day. 

Another book arrived in the mail this week as well. Unlike Tim’s books, it was not at all expected. 

That book is, The Simple Faith of Mister Rogers: Spiritual Insights from the World's Most Beloved Neighbor, by Amy Hollingsworth. It came from the daughter of a long-time family friend of Michael’s. The friend had sadly passed away last autumn. Her daughter, in going through her mother’s possessions, knew that MIchael was portraying Mister Rogers in I’m Proud of You, and sent her mother’s book to him because of that. Tucked into the book were two full pages of the special 2018 stamps the United States Postal Service commissioned to commemorate Mister Rogers’ legacy. They must have been left in her mother’s home when she died. 

It was a supremely touching gift and gesture. It was a supremely Mister Rogers thing to do. Such beautiful expressions of encouragement and regard were the hallmark of Fred, and also the hallmark of Michael’s long-time friend, and now her daughter. His legacy lives on in the hearts of so many. 

In that book, the author also initially wondered whether or not Mister Rogers was as genuine in real life as he appeared to be on the TV, just as Tim Madigan did. She wasn’t certain that anyone could be that good. There were too many others who weren't, who were disappointing. And so, it was difficult to believe that Mister Rogers wouldn’t disappoint, too. But he didn't. When she met him, she soon saw that he was the real thing. He was that good. 

In a world on fire, in which trust and kindness and genuineness are far too often so hard to find, there still are people who try to live their lives as generous, gracious, and good people. Genuinely so. The unexpected gift of this book and the stamps this week as I’m Proud of You prepares to open, is one beautiful reminder that there is a force greater than the flames of destruction, derision, and degradation, that we see all too often. 

That force is another kind of fire - one that doesn’t destroy as so many flames do - but instead shines a light, warms our spirits, and fuels the generosity, graciousness, and goodness within us all. This fire reminds us that we are not alone, that there are better angels within us, and that we are loved, valued, and worthy of genuine beauty in our lives. 

That is the fire we aim to ignite in everyone whom we serve. What an honor it is to share the stories of those who kindle the flames that remind us of what is best about this life and who we are meant to be in it. 

May all of us set the world on fire with these flames that enhance life and that fuel a better way to live, to love, and to believe.