I'm Proud of You: My Friendship with Fred Rogers by Tim Madigan

from goodreads

3.5 stars

I have been really blessed in this life. I have parents who supported anything I wanted to do. They weren't in my face and all up in my life, but if I wanted to do something, like spend a month in Quebec doing a program, they would drive me out there and let me do that. Even though it might not have been said often I knew my parents loved me and I knew that I had support and a soft place to land if I needed it. While I didn't do anything too world altering I knew that my possibilities really were endless.

Not everyone is that lucky. It wasn't until reading this book that I fully understood the roles of shows like Mr. Rogers or Mr. Dressup. These were where children could go and have a friend who thought they were pretty special for 20 minutes in their life. They really were like surrogate parents for children whose home life and school life might not have been the best. I'm not sure if there is anything like it on t.v. now and t.v. is the poorer for it if there isn't. We need more kids feeling they are great and can do anything and shows like Mr. Rogers helped accomplish that.

Synopsis

Tim Madigan, a journalist from Texas, has a chance interview with Fred Rogers, known better as Mr. Rogers, and that interview changed both of their lives. Tim gained a friend he could lean on and share things with when he felt he had no where else to go. Fred also gained that type of friendship. This is a book where you learn there are truly love filled people in this world with no cynicism attached.

My Thoughts

Growing up in Canada, and having only three channels, I did not grow up watching PBS or Mr. Rogers. I knew of him from spoofs and I finally watched a show when I was like 17 and it was kind of crazy. But there was something about this book that intrigued me, so I read it. After reading it, oh how I wish I could have watched his shows. Knowing what I know now, I think I will have to watch them on youtube or something. He seems really great.

What comes across in this memoir more than anything is Fred's unconditional love. He did not judge he just loved. He was so genuine. He was a rare commodity in this world where people are afraid of real emotions. They are almost afraid to love and truly open themselves up.

It helped me think about friendships I have. Am I as loving and genuine with my friendships?

In the beginning of this book I kept thinking, man all this guy does is take and take. how can Fred truly value this friendship? But then later you saw a more give and take relationship emerge and that was great.

I am glad that the author touched on what he called the furies and how now he is so happy with his life, a life he almost destroyed. It shows how important it is to surround yourself with great people and hope when you go through times like that.

While the authors trials, heartaches, and breakthroughs are worth reading, they are not what held my interest. I liked learning about how Fred was kind, compassionate and loving, and learning how I can incorporate that better in my life.

Don't read this is you are looking for a biography on Fred Rogers. This is not it. Instead read it if you would like one more role model in your life, one more person who would be proud of you.