I have four children who grew up with Mr. Rogers. I knew when they were watching him that they were learning a lot, but it still amazes me to hear them talk about him and his shows. They remember more about his shows than all the other programs that they ever watched. His touch on my children will be everlasting. Even as grownups, they all still say how wonderful he was. Yes, he was a quiet, gentle person, and his passing brought deep sorrow to our home.
• Mary, NC

Thank you, Fred - You made a difference. We will miss you so. At least there will be other men like you in the world because they grew up learning from You.
• Shelly, Mount Vernon, WA

Like many of your readers, I, too, was raised on Mister Rogers. He seemed so ageless. I am now an elementary school teacher, and a father of 2 young children. The magic that he possessed was much more than just an educational talent. He was the embodiment of a consciousness that treated kids as worthy partners for conversation, and valued their thoughts and feelings. He recognized that we all need to talk about things, and that our growth depends on this vital interaction. His humanity was what struck me the most. If only adults could show the same consideration and mutual respect for others.
• Jess, Long Beach, CA

I grew up, like many people, with Mister Rogers. My mom was a single parent, and I was often alone while she worked to take care of my brother and I. Whenever I felt down or upset abut something, I knew I could always turn on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood to make me feel better. Mister Rogers wasn't just a picture inside a TV tube. He was my friend, he was our friend. I'm 32 now, and from time to time I'll watch the show since it always puts a smile on my face. Because no matter how bad things get, "it's such a good feeling to know you're alive." Fred Rogers was a special person who touched millions of lives through his show. I am sad that he is gone, and I will miss him.
• Dan, Manteca, CA

I am a 38-year-old Black woman who grew up in a predominately white community. Mr. Rogers helped me to feel special and unique when others might have made me feel like an outsider. My children and I are going to miss Mr. Rogers and the day we found out he died, we cried then we sang, "It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" even though we knew it was a sad, sad day in the neighborhood. Corny, I know, but true. I'm glad that we will be able to visit our television friend on PBS
• Cynthia, Madison, WI

What can I say? I feel like I have lost a member of my own family. Fred Rogers was a rare and extraordinary human being. He was able to shape thousands of lives with his message, and I truly believe that he was a large influence in shaping the adult I am today. When I was a child, I actually thought "Mister Rogers" was talking to me through the television. The way he looked directly into the camera as he was singing one of his many wonderful songs, it seemed as if the screen was actually a portal that linked my own world to his. I knew that other programs were pre-recorded, like Electric Company, Sesame Street, etc. With Mister Roger it was different. He reached me through those magical programs. He taught me how to share, how to cry, how to tie my shoes, and most importantly, how to be a friend. Now, I am a mother myself and my son is learning the important lessons and values that I learned from Mister Rogers as a child. It is absolutely amazing to see yet another generation growing up with this program! Fred Rogers must have been touched by this as well. Another valuable lesson Mister Rogers taught me was that it was okay to cry, and so I am crying now, for I have truly lost my first REAL friend. Goodbye Mister Rogers. I love you and I will make sure that my little boy grows up with you, just as his mother did. God Bless.
• Lauren, Joplin, MO

My children and I enjoy watching Mister Rogers'. Not only has he taught my children about the world around us, he also taught me, too! Thank you Mister Rogers for allowing us to be your television neighbor.
• Therese, Hilo, HI

It took me a long time to appreciate Mister Rogers, but it was worth it. My children understood what he was trying to share way before I did. Thank you, Fred. God has a special place for you...I know it.
• Ray, Floral Park, NY

I was six years old when I first discovered Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, and I will never forget the day Mr. Rogers visited an ambulance garage and showed me what the paramedics did to help people. I was happy to find out that the paramedics were prepared for when a child needed to be in their care. I am older now, but due to my condition I need physical therapy to keep me from becoming stiff, and a lot of the stretches Mr. Rogers did by himself and with a guest helped me to become stronger. I also loved hearing Mr. Rogers play the lullaby that he sang to his sons on the piano, and on most afternoons, I would fall asleep listening to him sing. It sure was a relief to my mom and dad to have Mister Rogers' Neighborhood on our TV every afternoon, because if they were going out somewhere, they knew that I would be well informed that they would always come back to take care of me. I will always remember Mr. Rogers through the re-runs of his show. I hope he rests in peace. I will always remember you, Mr. Rogers, as a person who was always there when I felt afraid.
• Little Miracle, Edmonton, AB

I am now 20 but I can still remember Mister Rogers in my very early childhood. He was always there to sing a song to me if I was lonely or scared. People may call him old fashioned, but he taught me that imagination is the basis of happiness. He was also one of the only people who would tell me everyday how much he cared even if he was just talking through the TV. I will never forget him, and I hope my children will someday have the opportunity to see Mister Rogers' smiling face on TV instead of the violence and terror that is often on TV.
• Heather, Kansas City, MO

I am an 18-year-old college student, and I would refer to myself as mature, but even to this day, I would still enjoy watching Mr. Rogers' show every now and then. His passing has brought great sadness to my heart, for I grew up on him, and learned very much from him. He seemed to always be there to calm me down and to reassure me as I grew into a "big kid." I just wanted to write this in hopes that whoever reads it would know that the people out here, the people whose lives Fred was such a shining part of, are grateful that this show came into our lives and are heartbroken because of his death. My heart goes out to the Rogers family. May Fred live in our minds forever.
• Shawn, Lexington, VA

I am a 29 year old child at heart. I have a five year old daughter and a 10 month old daughter, and I am a first grade teacher. I don't think that I realized the impact Mr. Rogers had on me as a child since his death. I watched the special about his life and ministry through television on PBS this evening, and I couldn't help but cry. Memories of my childhood came flashing through my mind. There were some tough battles that I struggled with as a child and Mr. Rogers was always "there for me." He explained things to children in a way that they could understand. He was a true friend to us. I only hope to have an impact such as that on the children that God brings into my life. Thank you for keeping Mr. Rogers legend alive so my children can also grow up with him as their friend.
• Chrissie, AL

When I heard that Fred Rogers had died, I felt as though a cherished member of my own family had left me. I felt grief. I remembered when I was a child, watching and learning along with every other child lucky enough to spend time with him each day. I even watched him sometimes when I was in my teens, and it always made me smile to remember how simple the life of a child is and should be. I'm all grown up now, with children of my own. I am proud to say that my kids know Fred Rogers and hopefully always will. Memories of watching his show are very special to me, those I watched as a child, and those I watched with my own children. His impact on the children of America is difficult to assess, but those who follow in his footsteps will find it very difficult to duplicate what he was able to do. Please keep him on for many years to come. I loved him as a child, and still do.
• David, Willow, CA

"Mister Rogers' Neighborhood", with its constant messages of love and creativity, was an important part of my childhood. I am 19 years old now, and I still like to watch the show. I know that Mr. Rogers will live on forever in the hearts of the children and adults whose lives he has touched. We Love You, Mister Rogers!
• Jenny, Medford

I just finished watching the Mr. Rogers Special on PBS this evening and had a wonderful stroll down memory lane. I literally grew up watching Mr. Rogers everyday as a young child. I had never quite realized what an impact he had on me and other generations of children who were privileged to have him in their homes. A man who has made such a difference in so many lives. I'm a 35 year old woman who sat in her living room tonight and watched with the same wonder she had as a child, who still clung to his every word and then wept wholeheartedly for the man who is no longer with us. The one who taught her it was ok to cry.
• Kim, New York

For many years Mister Rogers has been a special person in my life. When my first child was born 16 years ago, it quickly became apparent that watching Mister Rogers did both of us good. For my son, he learned new ideas, heard lovely songs, and enjoyed the puppets. For me, I learned a lot about loving others, being a parent and a bit about child psychology. I especially enjoyed the visits in the neighborhood to hear great musicians (Yo-Yo Ma) or see fantastic dancers (Tommie Tune) perform. I also enjoyed the factory tours to see how everyday items were manufactured. As my son started school, he didn't need to spend so much time watching "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood." I still watched, however, because I had a little girl then that enjoyed watching the show. Since my daughter is developmentally delayed, we continued learning and growing with Mister Rogers long after she would have typically outgrown these visits with her "television neighbor." Alison loved the "Neighborhood of Make-Believe" and the puppets. She learned so much and it was a peaceful 30 minutes without all the "bells and whistles and nervous noise" which are so prevalent in children's television. We have continued to watch Mister Rogers for all these years because of the loving influence he brought into our home. How grateful I am that Mister Rogers received the Presidential Medal of Freedom last year from President Bush. Fred Rogers truly deserved that honor! It isn't just the children who will miss this gentle and loving man. It's all of us who are so much richer and wiser because of his kindness and his willingness to help us understand this world around us. He taught us that it was all right and good to teach and protect our little ones from the messes that adults have made in life -- whether it was divorce or war. My sincere thanks to PBS for seeing that "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" was an important part of the television schedule. Please convey our sympathies to Mrs. Rogers and her family. Our hearts are with them. We truly loved having Fred Rogers as part of our lives.
• Mary, Novi, MI

I didn't realize, until a few minutes ago, just how intrinsic a part of my life Mr. Rogers is. In remembrance of this great man, two friends and I, all coming to the end of our freshman year in college, watched clips from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. All three of us remembered them like we'd watched them yesterday, when in reality it's probably been a decade since we last saw them. I remember my time with Mr. Rogers as calm, loving, educational, and fun. Being from Pittsburgh, where the show was filmed and Mr. Rogers lived, it hits even closer to home. I've sat at the feet of Handyman Negri while he played his guitar. I've taken pride knowing that Mister Rogers' Neighborhood was my neighborhood. As it is with so many things of childhood, the importance of Mister Rogers and his show in my life are not felt on a daily basis. But when I stop to think, my childhood would not be the same, I would not be the same, without this great man. My mother put it simply: "Someone who gave so much good to the world shouldn't die." While I am sad, I am also happy that this little planet, that can make such a mess of itself, had Fred Rogers for the time that we did. So many lives have been touched, and will be continue to be touched, by this gentle, loving man. We should say to more people, "Won't you be my neighbor?" We all must remember that we are each special and unique. Mr. Rogers taught us that, and so much more. You will be dearly missed and fondly remembered, Mr. Rogers. You nurtured the child and person in each of us. We will never forget you.
• Emily, Pittsburgh/Bryn Mawr, PA