You Are Special

As a small child, I was fascinated by the show Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. Every morning, my sisters and I would sprawl out on the living-room floor in our fuzzy pink pajamas and listen to the warm, harmonious voice of Fred Rogers on our 12-inch television set. I remember the way Mr. Rogers would look into the camera as he spoke to us of our individual uniqueness and how special we were because we were different. I believed him and always felt as if he were talking to me when he sang the following words: “There’s only one of you like you, like you my friend, I like you.” Those words still play in my head today as an adult, and it is interesting to see how they affect my self-image and self-worth. As a 27-year-old housewife and mother, I can honestly say that I like who I am and what I have done with my life. I hope I can demonstrate Mr. Roger’s message to my children as they grew up, so they too can feel good about themselves and understand their great potential and worth.

"You are my friend

You are special

You are my friend

You're special to me.

You are the only one like you.

Like you, my friend, I like you."

-- Fred Rogers