It feels silly to say – it felt silly then – but I stood mesmerized. His show felt like a cool hand on a hot head. I left feeling better. 9/
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017
Can you imagine reconnecting with a Mister Rogers Neighborhood and then a few days later bumping into Mr. Rogers himself!? I probably would have fainted so way to play it cool, Anthony.
I can't believe it. I get in and he nods at me. I do back. I think he could sense a geek-out coming. But I kept it together. 11/
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017
The doors open, he lets me go out first. I go, but turn around. "Mr. Rogers… I don't mean to bother you. But I wanted to say thanks." 13/
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017
Opens his arms, lifting his satchel for a hug. "It's good to see you again neighbor." I got to hug Mr. Rogers, y'all! 15/
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017
So this guy got to hug Mr. Rogers during a time of need. If you auctioned that prize off, I can’t imagine how much it would bring. Not only that if Mr. Rogers ever looked me in the face and asked, “Did you grow up as one of my neighbors?” I’d actually break down. Way to go, Anthony, keeping it together.
As he went out the door, I said (in a kind of rambling gush) that I'd stumbled on the show again recently, when I really needed it. 17/
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017
This is what set Mr. Rogers apart. No one else would've done this. He goes, "Do you want to tell me what was upsetting you?" 19/
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017
Dude, a one on one vent sesh with Mr. Rogers himself?! I can’t explain the jealousy I’m experiencing.
I like to think I didn't go on and on, but pretty soon he was telling me about his grandfather & a boat the old man bought him as a kid. 21/
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017
How many of your childhood stars would sit down and talk to you about your troubles and the boat his grandfather had gotten him? Yeah, that’s what I thought. Most Disney channel stars from my childhood probably need my help more than I need theirs, which is saying A LOT. Why aren’t there more people like Mr. Rogers around?
He still wished the old man was here. Wished he still had the boat. You'll never stop missing the people you love, Mr. Rogers said. 23/
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017
He didn't have either now, but he had that work ethic, that knowledge that the old man encouraged with his gift. 25/
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017
Finally, I said thank you. And apologized if I made him late for an appointment. "Sometimes you're right where you need to be," he said. 27/
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017
“Sometimes you’re right where you need to be,” Is Mr. Rogers some type of force ghost or something? “Sometimes you’re right where you need to be,” is literally the perfect line that can be used in this situation. You are so smooth and insightful Mr. Rogers. Damn, we miss you. The world could use some neighborly love and advice.
I never saw him again. But that "helper" quote? That's authentic. That's who he was. For real. 29/ pic.twitter.com/VQ6vt6Lr3c
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017
I was mourning the loss of a neighbor.
31/end
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017
We’re all neighbors.
Wrapping this touching story up with an entirely knockout line like “I was mourning a loss of a neighbor.” Is the reason I’m sitting here wiping tears off of my keyboard. In a world that seems to be continuously filled with hatred, violence, and just an overall tone of negativity I think we all need to remember what it was like in Mister Rogers Neighborhood because no matter how the world may seem I know his mothers words to be timeless and true when she told him “Look for helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” Rest easy Mr. Rogers we all miss you and your neighborhood.