Mr. Rogers

[grinninfoole]

When I was a little boy, I absolutely adored my father. When he would come home from work, I would run down the front hall and fling myself into his arms. And, when I was very small, I used to love Mr. Rogers. Of course, I used to have trouble understanding that Mr. Rogers wasn't my dad. They did look and dress very much alike (and are almost the same age), of course, but looking back, I think Mr. Rogers was something of the dad I wanted to have, but didn't, someone who didn't raise his voice, someone who was very patient and always very interested in me, someone who had a whole show just for me every day. I know it wasn't true, but back then I think maybe I needed it to be.

And now that phantom father is dead.