Won't you be my neighbor?

I grew up in the neighborhood of make believe. I loved Mister Rogers. Several years ago Scott asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I knew exactly what I wanted. I wanted to send a letter to the real Mister Rogers and I wanted him to hold it in his hands and read it personally. Scott tried to say but don't you want something else? Nope that is what I wanted. So he told me to write it and he promised Mister Rogers would get my letter. I trusted Scott. He spent a long time tracking down where to send it and even talked to Mister Rogers assistant by telephone. She assured Scott that she would personally make sure my birthday request was granted and Mister Rogers would get my letter. She wanted to know if I would like a signed photo from him or anything like that... Nope he told her all I wanted was for Mister Rogers to hold and read the letter.

December 2, 2002

Dear Mister Rogers,

When my husband asked me what I would like for my birthday, I asked if I could write a letter to you. I just turned 28. I always think back to my childhood and reflect on my many blessing this time of year.

You are at the top of the list. I am sure that you must feel the love and admiration of thousands of people. My Mom said I never missed your show. I felt I was the only one in the whole world the show was for. I would talk to you and I knew you were talking directly to me.

Sometimes I will break into one of your songs. Can you believe I remember every word? What a gift you give to children and adults showing them their importance and addressing fears. Your work on death made a huge difference in my life. It would be hard to pinpoint my favorite Neighborhood memory. I loved every visit.

Thank you for living up to the light inside you. I am sure there were hard times and I am glad you never gave up on your dreams so that others had hope. During my challenges in my youth, I was very fortunate to have your love and support.

Thank you for being my special television neighbor and I promise I attempt to follow your lead and share the wonder of life with people I meet. I am happy your family was willing to share your gentle spirit with the world.

May the light of the Savior warm your season. I pray you are able to spend time with loved ones making memories to last forever. THANKS FOR BEING YOU!!!

Lovies,

Missy Riffle

I had a happy birthday just thinking that it was possible he would get my letter. We went to Disneyworld for our annual trip the first two weeks of December. We had a wonderful time. Except for the fact my mom fell off the train in the Magic Kingdom, this cut the trip short. So we went back again in Feb. 2003. When we got home, and Scott brought in the mail I could hardly believe my eyes!!! There was an envelop with a little trolley on it. It was addressed to me. It was a letter from Mister Rogers.

December, 2002


Missy Riffle
737 West Jefferson Lane
Sandy, UT 84070

Dear Missy,

It meant a great deal to me that our Neighborhood was in
your thoughts at the time of your birthday and that you
wanted to be in touch. It was a pleasure to hear from you
and to get to know you from all that you shared with me in
your lovely letter.

Thank you for your kind words about the special meaning our
Neighborhood program had for you when you were growing up.
I’m pleased that you enjoyed our television visits, and I’m
grateful that you continue to feel such a warm connection
with our messages and our music. At the same time, I hope
you can appreciate all the inner strengths you’ve brought to
our program over the years -- strengths that helped you hear
our positive messages and use them in such healthy ways in
your own life.

Missy, I wondered if you knew that I am an ordained
Presbyterian minister with a special charge of serving
children and families through television? While we decided
not to consider specifically religious material on our
program because we value the varying beliefs of all our
viewers, it’s especially heartwarming to hear from neighbors
like you who tell us they hear God’s love and peace in our
work.

Your caring blessings and your warm holiday wishes for me
and my family were greatly appreciated. Please give your
husband my kindest regards. I hope the holidays will be a
good time for you and Scott, and I wish you deep peace and
joy -- given and received -- at Christmastime and in the
coming new year.

Sincerely,
Fred Rogers

That letter warmed my heart I was soooo happy to have it with his handwritten personal response. A few months later because our Dec. trip was cut short from the fall we headed back to Disenyworld. While we were walking around MGM we saw a large crowd gathered. They were mainly adults and they were all crying. There is a garden there where they have tributes to people who have made a difference in the lifes of children. It has Walt Disney, Jim Henson, Mister Rogers, and Captian Kangaroo. The one of Fred Rogers was all covered in flowers and notes. You see he had died that day after a battle with stomach cancer. I was unbelievably sad. I went back to our room and just cried my little eyes out. Anth and Scott tried to cheer me up, I was beyond cheering up. Anth reminded me about the letter and that he had gat it weks before passing away and what a nice comfort it must have been for hima dn his family to be reminded of the difference he had made. I'm grateful for husbands who grant our requests, and brothers who lift us up, and a man who lived iwth integrity and shared Gods love!