Glad to be back. I missed you... On this Father's Day, I'm reminiscing about a special surrogate father figure many of us had but never met. Someone who's POV is more important than ever. Someone who lived and taught kindness, patience, acceptance, and tolerance. I went solo to see the MR. ROGERS documentary, WON'T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? He was destined for the seminary but then a new invention called television fascinated him. It also repelled him as programming was violent, often condescending and not nurturing of the newest viewers, children. Through clips and interviews with friends, colleagues, and family, the film takes a look at a remarkable man who had an immeasurable impact on generations of children, parents, and government policy. I was too young to understand the influence of MISTER ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD (1968–2001). Clearly, some of my ethics, morals, and behavior were shaped by the show. No different than watching my mother's behavior. A great history of the man with many stories I didn't know. His teachings were nuanced via narratives and characters. Many were his alter egos. He taught children that they were unique and special. When crazies took him to task, accusing him of creating an entitled generation (nonsense), he explained that it wasn't about entitlement but rather every child had something special to offer the world regardless of race, gender, nationality, etc. He was YOUTUBE for kids before YOUTUBE. Speaking directly to the camera in such a way that you thought he was speaking to you. And you. And you. On May 1, 1969, he testified to Congress about the importance of public broadcasting when there was huge momentum to kill it. He's calm and mesmerizing. Rarely do you see someone change opinions of negative, skeptical politicians immediately. In the NIXON era, no less. And it was televised. My sister says I'm going through my terrible twos at 47. Largely because the state of the world is so confusing, so mean lately. Challenging any ideas I had of commonality and kindness. And we, including me, so often revert to anger and name-calling. Mr. Rogers wasn't allowed to show anger when he was a child. And that temperament, which also had some strange effects, allowed him to deliver his message in such a cadence that children understood him. They loved him and most important they listened. Listening was his talent. Employing conversational tricks like silence after a statement so that the other person would offer a feeling and thought they might not have. He understood the of gift silence. Something I am still afraid of. I don't mind solitude but I mind silence. I have more to learn. Later in life, he was ridiculed by vicious protesters and parodied by the likes of EDDIE MURPHY and JOHNNY CARSON. Some of which he enjoyed, others he didn't. He never preached until the end of his life. But as times changed and his message was getting ignored or misinterpreted, he was more vocal and direct. The timing of the film is uncanny. The message very much needed. And thus I texted 50+ people to run to see this film. I hope you enjoy it and take in the message of tolerance. He was a life-long Republican and Christian and found room in his heart for all and acknowledged mistakes when he didn't. I was choked up multiple times but in a good way. I hate mean, and he was the opposite of mean. The show had no explosions. No shootings. No slime. No sassy kids without parents. Just kindness and life lessons. And some tough topics like assassination and how to talk to your kids about it. Treat yours to it on AMAZON PRIME VIDEO... While a completely different speed, on Father's Day, I'll use the genius of CHRIS ROCK to make sure we appreciate the daddies... Happy Birthday to NICK WEAVER, CARMI ZLOTNIK, GEORGE WHITE, TRACY SWEDLOW, DAVID TISCH, DAVID THOMPSON, JESSICA BASS, and NOAH KIMERLING.