Today is, "Won't You Be My Neighbor Day"

As grandmas (or grandpas and parents, too) we want to influence the children we love. We want to hand down the faith and we want to help them grow to be kind, treat others with gentleness and learn to make wise choices, because we know if they do, they will live much fuller lives and because we love them.

Well, today is, "Won't You Be My Neighbor Day" which, according to daysoftheyear.com is; "a day to remember and honor Fred Rogers, the iconic children’s TV presenter of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. His show reached it’s heyday in popularity back in the 1970’s and 80’s, and repeats are still able to be seen today. Gentle, soft-spoken Mr. Rogers was a mainstay for preschoolers and their parents; teaching them respect of those around you and a good attitude were just as important as learning your colors and letters."

We all know Mr. Rogers for being a soft-spoken, "grandfatherly" type person who taught and comforted children on his show, "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood", about things which truly mattered - how we treat others. But, did you know he was an ordained Presbyterian Minister? He was. When he died, "the Presbyterian Church  approved an overture 'to observe a memorial time for the Reverend Fred M. Rogers; at its General Assembly. The rationale for the recognition of Rogers read, 'The Reverend Fred Rogers, a member of the Presbytery of Pittsburgh, as host of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood since 1968, had a profound effect on the lives of millions of people across the country through his ministry to children and families. Mister Rogers promoted and supported Christian values in the public media with his demonstration of unconditional love. His ability to communicate with children and to help them understand and deal with difficult questions in their lives will be greatly missed.'" (from Wikipedia)

And, did you know when he was young he spent much of his free 
time with his maternal grandfather? Those young years spent with
his grandfather shaped how he saw life and helped form the person
he became. 

While your grandchildren may not grow up to become someone 
known the world over who impacts millions and millions of children
they will have the opportunity to influence and impact the people
God brings into their lives. Your influence in their lives matters.
The way you show unconditional love to your grandchildren is able 
to influence them to do the same.

Never underestimate the impact of your influence on your 
grandchildren - you may be impacting another "Mr. Rogers" or 
someone who will go on to impact and influence millions!

So, celebrate, "Won't You Be My Neighbor Day" and speak softly, 
show gentleness and love to those you know and to those with
whom you come into contact. And, make the choice to do this every
day - and influence your grandchildren to do the same!