I’m here to be with You.

People have said, “Don’t cry” to other people for years and years, and all it has ever meant is, “I’m too uncomfortable when you show your feelings. Don’t cry.” I’d rather have them say, “Go ahead and cry. I’m here to be with you.” – Mister Rogers

There are a ton of Mister Rogers quotes to pick from but this one stuck out to me the most. As a kid, I was not interested in his show. I wanted the transforming robots, the futuristic paramilitary laser fighters, the space samurais, and anything Gundam related. As a parent though I can’t appreciate his work enough. It wasn’t that he was inoffensive but more that he was unoffended. It seems like he could see through bad behavior and look at the person beyond the actions and appreciate their value and potential. This quote stuck out to me because I’ve seen many instances where people unknowingly manipulate to a situation to soothe their own anxiety – just like this. I don’t think they even realize it though? There’s definitely times I can look back at my own behavior and see where I wasn’t acting from my own feelings but I was uncomfortable with others feelings. 

I haven’t watched the documentary because frankly, I’m a movie cryer. I didn’t always used to be this way? I used to only cry when they put a dog down but now the smallest things light me up. 

I’m going to have to watch it aren’t I? 😭